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

Health Minister Robin Swann, has announced the reappointment of the Non-Executive Chair of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

Ms Carmel McKinney, OBE has been reappointed from 1 July 2020 to a date not later than 30 June 2023. The Non-Executive Chair role attracts a remuneration of £26,747 per annum and carries a time commitment of 2.5 to 3 days per week.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

The NIFRS Board comprises a Non-Executive Chairperson, the Chief Fire & Rescue Officer and 10 Non-Executive Members.  On a day-to-day basis NIFRS is managed by its Corporate Management Team (CMT).

NIFRS is divided into 4 operational Command Areas – Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. An Area Commander, each responsible for one of the 4 Area Commands, manages operational activity on a day to day basis.  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 is responsible for the Fire Stations in their District. There are 68 Fire Stations throughout Northern Ireland serving their local community.

Notes to editors: 

1. Ms Carmel McKinney, OBE has extensive expertise and experience as a strategic and operational leader. She has a well demonstrated history of leading and managing organisations through large scale Change Management programmes including strategic planning, organisational development and business development.  She is a local and national award winner for her highly accomplished leadership and management including her work on diversity and inclusion, having been recognised in the Guardian Public Services Awards for Leadership Excellence in 2017, the Institute of Directors Non-Executive Director of the Year 2018 and The Times Diversity Champion 2019. Ms McKinney holds an OBE for her services to Education.  Ms McKinney currently holds 2 other public appointment positions: from February 2020, as a Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland receiving an annual remuneration of £5,000; and from April 2020, as an Independent Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, a position which attracts £15,000 per annum.
    
2. Appointments to NIFRS are made with the approval of the Health Minister. There are no specific qualifications required for this appointment.
3. 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.   Ms McKinney declared that she had not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.
4. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110. 
5. Follow us on Twitter@healthdpt

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