Colum McClelland joined the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in 2024 as an on-call firefighter based at Warrenpoint station. He is the 15th family member to serve in the Newry area, where the lineage has provided more than 320 years of combined service since 1877. Three family members continue to serve actively.

Alexander McClelland established Newry's first municipal fire station in 1877. The family responded to major incidents over generations, including the 1910 fire at Newry Cathedral, the Belfast Blitz during the Second World War, and numerous call-outs during the Troubles. In 1973, Jackie McClelland sustained injuries from a bomb explosion at a furniture store in Newtownhamilton after 35 years of service as Newry section leader.

John McClelland held the position of chief fire officer for the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade from 1996 to 2002. Raymond McClelland served as watch commander for the Newry retained section and worked as a paramedic. Terence Bannon remains active as a Newry firefighter.

McClelland attended his initial call to a generator fire at a local timber yard. Days later, he responded to a major wildfire spanning one kilometre in the Mournes, declared a significant incident.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service relies on retained firefighters who respond via pager from home or work. Warrenpoint station, one of 25 across Northern Ireland, is among those currently recruiting additional on-call personnel.