Recognition for Ballymena firefighters who faced house fires and burning barricades
Fire crews tackle burning homes in Ballymena during the disorder of June 2025
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Ballymena firefighters who tackled house fires and burning barricades during disorder in the town in June 2025 have received formal recognition for their response.
Station Commander Alan Barr, White Watch and On-Call personnel from Ballymena Fire Station were awarded a Chief Fire & Rescue Officer commendation for their actions on 9 June.
Local colleague John Shannon was also honoured for a separate act of bravery — rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car while off duty, moments before the vehicle exploded.
Recognition for Ballymena crews
Pictured (L-R) Station Commander Alan Barr, Watch Commander Stuart Worthington, Watch Commander John Friel, and NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings
The commendations were presented at the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Long Service & Good Conduct Awards at its Learning & Development College in Cookstown on Thursday 24 September.
A NIFRS spokesperson told Love Ballymena:
“NIFRS Station Commander Alan Barr and White Watch and On-Call personnel from Ballymena Fire Station were awarded a Chief Fire & Rescue Officer commendation in recognition of their response to numerous house fires and burning barricades during civil disturbance in Ballymena on 9 June 2025.”
(L-R): On-Call Crew Commander Manus Jamison (Carnlough Fire Station), Deputy Lieutenant of County Tyrone Revd Canon Matthew Hagan MBE DL, NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings
On-Call Crew Commander Manus Jamison was also among personnel from the wider Ballymena area recognised on the night.
Off-duty rescue from burning car
Fire crews who subsequently attended the scene of the burning vehicle on Larne Road Link after Firefighter John Shannon rescued a man from a burning vehicle in May 2024.
Firefighter John Shannon’s commendation recognised his intervention at a three-vehicle collision on 5 May 2024, according to NIFRS, when he rescued a casualty from a burning vehicle.
John, from Larne, was making his way home from Ballymena Fire Station when he came across the collision on Larne Road Link. Despite being off duty and without firefighting equipment, he approached the burning car, unfastened the unconscious driver’s seatbelt and dragged him 20 metres to safety.
A police officer arrived and helped John. Moments later, the car exploded, but the casualty had been moved clear and was receiving first aid at the roadside.
Love Ballymena previously reported that John was to receive a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for the rescue. The NIFRS commendation provides further recognition of his life-saving intervention.
Decades of service recognised
Alongside the commendations for actions, professionalism and distinguished conduct, the ceremony recognised 92 operational and support employees who had completed 20, 30 or 40 years with NIFRS.
Twenty-year awards went to 49 operational employees and seven support colleagues. A further 26 operational and two support employees were recognised for 30 years, while six operational and two support employees marked 40 years.
Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings, who was himself among those receiving recognition, said:
“I am deeply honoured to recognise the 92 employees who are being celebrated for their many years of service, and I am equally humbled to be among those receiving this recognition. These awards are a fitting tribute to the skill, courage and commitment that our employees demonstrate on a daily basis.”
He added:
“Their work plays a vital role in supporting our community. It involves being there when people need us most, often in challenging and unpredictable circumstances, while consistently going above and beyond to help keep the public safe, support people on their worst days, and build trust with the people of Northern Ireland.”
Commitment to protecting communities
Fire crews tackle burning barricades and other fires in Ballymena during the disorder of June 2025
Health Minister Robbie Butler attended the ceremony alongside Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Tyrone, Reverend Canon Matthew Hagan, and NIFRS Board member Paul Kennedy.
Paying tribute to recipients, the minister said:
“Every individual here today represents the commitment, professionalism and teamwork which are at the heart of the fire service, and they should be proud of all they have achieved in their exceptional careers.”
NIFRS Board chairperson Jay Colville said:
“Long service is about much more than the number of years someone has spent in their role. It represents countless hours of training, responding to emergencies, supporting colleagues and being there for our community. These employees are truly commendable.”
For Ballymena’s firefighters, the commendations place on record their service during a difficult night in the town’s recent history — alongside an individual act of courage that brought a man to safety moments before a burning car exploded.
