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Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has raised the issue of water rescue coverage for the Newry and South Armagh area with the NI Fire and Rescue Service.
Mr McNulty had requested an urgent meeting with Fire and Rescue Service Chiefs after a recent incident in Camlough Lake left a young person waiting for water rescue specialists to arrive from Belfast. He said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with NI Fire & Rescue Service Chief Andy Hearn and Assistant Chief Aidan Jennings in relation to the concerns I have around the provision of water rescue services in our local area.
“Last month, we were reminded of how quickly open water swimming can turn into an emergency, and although thankfully on this occasion tragedy was averted, I was deeply alarmed by the fact that the nearest water rescue team are based in Belfast.
“My SDLP colleague Killian Feehan and I have put forward our concerns and those of our local community in relation to response times for water rescue incidents and the risks that poses to people in our area.
“I was encouraged at the investment that the Fire & Rescue Service have made in developing a specialist training centre in Cookstown, but what I want to see is the allocation of additional resources to allow specialist personnel to be stationed in Newry to ensure rapid response to water rescue incidents.
“This is precisely the kind of issue that can be, and should be, advanced through Stormont. That is exactly what I intend to do when the Assembly is restored."
