Inside Northern Ireland’s New Fire and Rescue Training College

Civil engineer and transport planner Karen McShane takes us behind the scenes of the state-of-the-art Learning and Development Centre in Cookstown, a unique facility shaping the next generation of firefighters and emergency responders.

A Decade in the Making

Well over a decade ago I designed a new access as part of a feasibility study for the development of a new Police, Fire and Rescue centre just outside Cookstown.

The scheme changed shape over the years and eventually became the Northern Ireland Learning and Development Centre for the Fire and Rescue Service — a dedicated training facility which officially opened this year to its newest recruits.

Preparing Future Firefighters

The NI Fire and Rescue Service has over 2,200 staff and answers more than 36,000 call-outs annually. These new facilities have been designed to equip firefighters and emergency service personnel with the skills, resilience and expertise needed to help keep everyone in Northern Ireland safe.

Alan McKee of Felix O’Hare & Co, the contractor, explained:

“The College provides a safe, controlled and repeatable environment for high-quality practical training. It includes standard lecture rooms but also so many other real-life examples of what a recruit may face.”

What Makes the Facility Unique

When I visited with colleagues and site manager Steve McClean, I had no real expectation of what kind of infrastructure would be required.

I wasn’t surprised to see sustainable drainage systems to accommodate storm water, or the two on-site sewage treatment works with reed bed treatment. But as Development Manager Maurice Wray outlined, “nothing comparable exists within Europe” — and he was right.

We began a tour at a purpose-built street scene, complete with a fully functioning fire station. This was no ordinary set. It had been designed as both a warehouse and multi-storey building, offering simulated environments for marine, residential, industrial and commercial training.

The roof even replicates a ship’s deck, with hatches for simulated rescues. Beyond that, the details are remarkable.

• Residential blocks with controlled simulations.
• Agricultural areas.
• A full road network with a motorway gantry and level crossing.
• Even a flood training zone resembling a canoe slalom course.

This unique design incorporates water treatment systems to keep the supply clean and reusable.

Reuse and Sustainability

Other features include the reuse of the original drill tower from Boucher Road and a dedicated decontamination zone. The entire site was awarded a BREEAM Excellent rating for sustainability and has been used as an exemplar project in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive NI.

A Landmark Moment

At the launch, then Minister Robin Swann said:

“This investment will enable NIFRS to undertake the largest capital build in their history. The facilities it provides will revolutionise how NIFRS trains and develops its people to protect everyone in Northern Ireland.”

Having seen it for myself, I have no doubt this development will save lives in the future by providing world-class training for those on the frontline of emergencies.

📍 Albany House, 73–75 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AF
📞 Tel: +44 (0)28 9560 9798
📧 Email: info@karenmcshane.co.uk
🌐 www.karenmcshane.co.uk