NIFRS Learning & Development Centre at Cookstown

A long-term investment in the training of NIFRS emergency services which will improve public safety

Project Description

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning & Development Centre (LDC) at Cookstown is a Northern Ireland Executive Flagship project which will invest £48m in training infrastructure for the NIFRS. The development includes a Learning and Development training centre with 8 classrooms, lecture hall and office accommodation, multi-purpose training warehouse, fire call out village for multiple training scenarios, flood water training facility, hazardous material training props and road traffic collision training facilities.

This significant investment will allow firefighters to train in realistic scenarios which will recreate the hazards that they face in operational call outs, but crucially within a safe, controlled and repeatable training environment. The investment will lead to improved public safety, improved service delivery, and improved staff health and safety.

These facilities will meet all NIFRS training needs for the long-term future and also present interoperability and joint training opportunities with other emergency services.

Project Status

The project is being delivered in two phases:

Phase 1 – a Tactical Firefighting Facility and Training Support Building, was completed in 2019
Phase 2 – is the substantive phase and is currently in detailed design. Construction start is planned for the end of 2021 and completion for end of the 2023.