The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) have welcomed the Prince and Princess of Wales to its Learning & Development College, a new new state-of-the-art training facility outside Cookstown in County Tyrone.

During the visit, the royal couple met with Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Trainee Firefighters, and a range of support and operational staff to gain an insight into the breadth of roles within NIFRS.

The Prince and Princess observed live demonstrations of real-life emergency scenarios, including flood water rescues and rope rescues. They also took part in the activities, with the royal visitors throwing lines during a water rescue exercise and taking a short trip in a Fire Appliance on the 50-acre site. The visit coincided with Fire Safety Week, which is held to emphasise the importance of fire safety in the home and protecting those most at risk in the community from fire.

Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings described the event as a "proud and unforgettable day for our Service and fitting that it occurred during Fire Safety Week." He said that he was honoured that the Prince and Princess witnessed first-hand how the scenario-based training facilities are "revolutionising how we train and develop our people".

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he was "honoured to greet Their Royal Highnesses," noting that their visit was a significant recognition of the courage and commitment of the NIFRS staff. He added that the world-class college plays a vital role in equipping staff with the skills and confidence they need to serve and protect the community.