A special ceremony was held on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, to honour Watch Commander Tommy Torbitt for his extraordinary 50-year career with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS).

The event at Larne Fire Station brought together colleagues, family, and a host of high-profile dignitaries to recognise one of the service's longest-serving members.

Among those in attendance to pay tribute to the On-Call Firefighter were Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Robin Swann MP, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, and the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Jackson Minford. The gathering also included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr Andrew Frazer and various local council representatives. Tommy has spent over two decades as a Watch Commander and has shown immense commitment to his role, often dedicating around 140 hours per week to his On-Call duties. His career has been marked by several prestigious accolades, most notably receiving the King's Fire Service Medal (KFSM) in the 2023 New Year's Honours List. He was also awarded a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation in 1998 following a daring rescue at a high-rise building.

Beyond his emergency response work, Tommy is regarded as a vital community ambassador who has helped establish Larne Fire Station as a central pillar for local safety.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Northern Area Commander Ryan Thompson praised the veteran firefighter's impact: "On behalf of everyone in NIFRS and on a personal level, I would like to congratulate Tommy on reaching this significant milestone. He embodies the very best of NIFRS, and it is no surprise to see so many people celebrate him. Tommy has done and continues to do everything in his power to help protect our community during his 50-year career.

"Tommy is a true leader and an exceptional Firefighter. He is a credit to himself and to the crews in Larne Fire Station. He has been instrumental in creating and building community partnerships, which are so fundamentally vital to the work here at NIFRS."