Reappointment of a Non-Executive Member to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

The Department of Health today announced the reappointment of Mr Gordon Smyth as a Non-Executive Member of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS). The reappointment will cover a maximum period of four years beginning on 1 April 2018.

The appointment carries a time commitment of 3 days per month and attracts an annual remuneration of £5,962.

The appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

Notes to editors: 

1. Mr Gordon Smyth lives in Ballymoney and has spent most of his working life in the banking sector where he gained 28 years management experience from working in both a head office and branch environment. He has a strong commitment to the voluntary sector where he has had a number of leadership roles. Since June 2014 he has been employed by the Ulster Federation of Credit Unions to modernise the organisation by improving governance standards and bringing about both cultural and organisational change. He is a former non-executive board member of the Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) and holds a public appointment as a Non-Executive Financial director at the Belfast Heath and Social Care Trust, where he has been Chair of the Audit Committee since his appointment in April 2016.

2. NIFRS is divided into 4 operational Command Areas – Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. Area Commanders, each responsible for one of the 4 Area Commands, manage operational activity on a day to day basis and report to the Deputy Chief Fire Officer. The 4 Area Commands are supported by 14 Districts, strategically placed across Northern Ireland and which create a community focus for NIFRS activities. District Command are responsible for the Fire Stations in their District.

3. There are 68 Fire Stations throughout Northern Ireland serving their local community. The map below shows the locations of NIFRS Area and District Commands and each of the Fire Stations across Northern Ireland. NIFRS Headquarters is situated in Lisburn, Co. Antrim and the Fire & Rescue Training Centre is currently situated at Boucher Crescent, Belfast.

4. The appointment was made with the approval of the Department of Health.  There are no specific qualifications for appointment. 

5. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. Gordon Smyth has declared he has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years. 

6. For media enquiries please contact the Department of Health Press Office on 9052 0074 or email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.  For out of hours please contact to Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt

Share this page