The Prince and Princess of Wales kicked off their one-day visit to Northern Ireland today by visiting trainee firefighters at a new £50million training college near Cookstown in County Tyrone
Prince William and Kate pay visit to firefighters
The Prince and Princess of Wales were treated to a ride in a fire truck and watched trainee firefighters take part in drills as they kicked-off a day-long visit to Northern Ireland today.
William and Kate watched as emergency workers simulated rescuing a casualty from a fast-flowing river and toured a warehouse space where others practised high-rise rope and ladder rescues and tested breathing apparatus. It came as the royals visited Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service’s (NIFRS) new £50million Learning and Development College, near Cookstown in County Tyrone, which opened in May. The pair were shown around by Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings, walking past a replica village into a training warehouse where the drills took place.
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The couple met two recent graduates of the 18-week training course, firefighters Piarais McCaffery and Caoimhe McNeice, to hear about their experience of training at the 50-acre site, which is set in the countryside.
World-class facilities include a flood water rescue simulator – one of only two in the world at a fire service training facility.
And after watching hose drills outside the warehouse, William and Kate boarded the fire appliance to head there and watch the simulated floodwater rescue – and also take part in the drill from the safety of the bank.
Each attempted to throw a line attached to a float to rescue a ‘casualty’, played by an instructor, but didn’t manage to reach him as he was swept past by the current.
The Princess of Wales, who wore a green Alexander McQueen coat and Gianvito Rossi boots, also joked that she wanted to drive at full speed with the ‘sirens on’ as she and the prince rode in the back of the fire engine.
Kate “was wanting the sirens on” during the short drive across the training site, “but the driver was strictly told no,” according to newly qualified firefighter Caoimhe McNeice, who joined the royal couple for the ride. She added: “She was wanting the prince to drive, but no the driver got us there safely anyway.”
“The Princess was saying, ‘I’d love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on,’ but they were getting to the water rescue [area], it was just a bit of banter.” Caoimhe, 25, and her fellow graduate Piarais, 32, were chosen to spend time with the royal visitors after passing out as graduates in June.
“They were both lovely, great, down to earth people. It was great to showcase our Learning and Development College to them, and they were blown away by it,” said Piarais. He said William and Kate were “very, very genuine and interested, especially with the water facility.”
The college is the largest investment ever undertaken by the NIFRS and is a training centre for all NIFRS employees. Training with other emergency service workers and partner agencies also takes place there.
NIFRS chief fire officer Aidan Jennings described the visit as “a proud and unforgettable day” for the service. He said: “With a one team ethos in NIFRS, our personnel work together to help make Northern Ireland a safer place. It was a privilege to have our royal visitors meet many people across our Service and recognise their commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm in doing so.
“I’m honoured that the prince and princess witnessed first-hand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionising how we train and develop our people enabling us to meet the evolving needs of a modern-day Fire & Rescue Service.
“Our next generation of firefighters, currently undergoing their training at the college clearly demonstrated that today in their display of operational skills and capabilities.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Prince and Princess for their visit, their kind words, support and recognition of the work of all our people in NIFRS dedicated to serving our community and keeping people safe.
“I would also like to thank the Northern Ireland Office, the Executive Office and the Department of Health for their efforts and support in making this memorable visit possible.”
It was announced earlier today that William and Kate were on a surprise unannounced trip to Northern Ireland today for a series of special engagements.
Kensington Palace said “they will spend the day visiting innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas and demonstrate entrepreneurial and creative opportunities for young people”.
The trip marks Kate’s first visit to Northern Ireland in three years, with her last trip there in October 2022, when she joined William at a suicide prevention charity in Belfast before heading to a food market, where they made cocktails, before ending the day-long visit with a trip to Carrickfergus.
It also marks her first trip to the area since her cancer diagnosis and treatment. William on the other hand, last visited last November, when he was in Belfast for a series of engagements for his Homewards initiative, which is aiming to end homelessness.
