The Health Minister, Robbie Butler, announced the renewal of a non-executive (lay) membership on the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service board today.
Jim Lennon will resume his role starting on 14 November 2026, with the position concluding no later than 13 November 2030.
The appointment follows the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland regarding political activity disclosures.
Lennon previously held a board seat on the Northern Ireland Livestock Meat Commission between 2015 and 2023, and served with the former Armagh & Dungannon Health & Social Services Trust from 2002 to 2007.
He also chaired the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service during the period from 2007 to 2019.
The current role carries an annual remuneration of £6,975 and demands a time commitment of three days each month.
The service operates across the entire population of Northern Ireland, which spans more than 5,500 square miles.
Under the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, and the Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011, the organisation responds to fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies including chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents.
The Board of NIFRS comprises the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, a Non-Executive Chair and ten Non-Executive Members, four of whom are District Councillors appointed by the Department.
A range of community engagement initiatives are provided to help reduce risk and keep people safe from the dangers of fire and other types of incidents that they respond to.
NIFRS maintains 68 Fire Stations utilising a variety of crewing models using Whole-time, On-Call and Volunteer Firefighters.
Lennon is a retired Chief Executive of Middletown Centre for Autism and currently serves on the Board of Governors of his local schools and Lisanally Special School in Armagh.