Leitrim fire service set to receive funding as major cross-border funding announced

Over 2 million in funding has been announced for a cross-border fire and rescue initiative involving Irish and Northern Irish emergency services.

The programme that is funded by Peace Plus funding will involve the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, South West College and the Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB).

The tactics project - Training Across Communities for Tactical Interoperability for Cross-Border Safety - is aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and cooperation between fire and rescue services on both sides of the border.

 Under the scheme, joint training will be delivered with shared exercises and enhanced mutual aid across communities in Leitrim, Sligo, and Donegal. 

“This project will ensure that our emergency services are better trained, better connected and better equipped to protect lives and property,” said Marian Harkin, Sligo-Leitrim TD and Minister for Further Education.

“In border areas like Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, where communities have long worked together, this collaboration will make a real difference in times of crisis.”

The €2.05 million investment from PEACEPLUS, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, will run until 2027.

The project will build on existing cooperation between fire services and education partners, ensuring firefighters across the North West have access to the latest training, technology and shared operational standards.