The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has been accused of “going on a spending spree” duplicating rescue services which already exist in the voluntary sector.
East Derry SDLP MLA John Dallat, vice chair of the Stormont Public Accounts Committee, said senior members of the FIre Service – funded by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety which is “in crisis” – had reportedly been involved in a “spending spree” buying new Land Rovers, expensive boats and other equipment which do nothing more than duplicate what already existed among the various voluntary rescue services at no cost to the tax payer.
Mr Dallat added: “At a time when punitive measures are being taken in the Health Service the NIFRS is bleeding the coffers of the very same department in an exercise which gives the impression that it is Christmas every day at the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
“I am seriously concerned that the NIFRS has failed to engage with the voluntary rescue services dotted across the North before going on this spending spree.
“I am also very worried that their lack of co-operation with the voluntary rescue services will have serious implications in the future and in particular when co-ordination is needed to save lives.
John Dallat MLA.
“The NIFRS which has been at the centre of several inquiries into various aspects of its activities in recent times and assurances have been given that there would be greater accountability.
“These revelations do nothing to provide assurance that things have changed and it seems to me that much more needs to be done to provide a service which represents value for money and build confidence particularly with those who give of their time to man the voluntary rescue service.
“This is not just about saving money, it is about minimising risk. It is about having the right resources in the right place to respond to emergencies whatever they are. It is about having the people with the appropriate skills on call to deal with the tasks in hand.”
Mr Dallat concluded: “The NIFRS cannot address all these issues on their own and they are failing to give the leadership which is required and they are spending money badly needed in other places which is totally unnecessary.”
