The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) secured the top honour of Blue Light Emergency Service of the Year at the 2026 Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards. Held at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast, the event serves as a major platform to recognise the commitment and selflessness of emergency personnel across the region.

The NIFRS team enjoyed significant success throughout the evening, with several individuals and joint initiatives receiving high-level recognition for their impact on public safety and organisational culture.

Individual Excellence and Leadership

The judges highlighted three specific NIFRS members for their exceptional contributions to the service and the community:

• Outstanding Contribution to a Blue Light Service: Station Commander Peter Melarkey was honoured for his pivotal role in developing the NIFRS Road Safety Strategy. His work on the 'Your Choice' programme has been credited with driving a measurable reduction in road traffic fatalities and serious injuries across Northern Ireland.

• Contribution to Diversity: Watch Commander Peter Bradley received praise for his advocacy for Communication Access. Drawing on his own lived experience, Bradley spearheaded changes that have made the NIFRS more accessible and inclusive for both staff and the public. • Leader of the Year: Watch Commander Tommy Torbitt was recognised following a remarkable 50 years of service. Based in Larne, Torbitt has spent half a century protecting his community, serving as a mentor to generations of firefighters and a trusted ambassador for public safety.

The service also shared a joint JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles) award with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). This accolade recognised the seamless multi-agency response to Storm Éowyn last year, where the services worked together under extreme conditions to protect the public.

Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings expressed his pride in the team's achievements, noting that the awards reflect the "outstanding work carried out day in, day out" across the country.

"I am so proud to come away with the award for Blue Light Emergency Service of the Year 2026. This achievement is a true reflection of the dedication shown by every single member of our team. It's an absolute honour to lead such an incredible organisation."

The Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards continue to grow as an annual fixture, ensuring that the often-unseen efforts of the region's frontline heroes are given the public recognition they deserve.