Northern Ireland's chief fire officer today warned spiralling attacks on his crews could kill someone.
Mr John McClelland was speaking as he accepted an illuminated scroll of honour to mark the sacrifice made by firefighters and back-up staff in the North.
The first award conferred by the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly was presented by the Speaker in the Stormont Assembly, Lord Alderdice.
But as it emerged that fire crews have dealt with over 100 incidents of civil unrest this month alone, Mr McClelland used the occasion to urge those responsible to stop before it is too late.
"I don't know where it's leading, I don't know what its purpose is, but if common sense doesn't prevail serious injury will result or, worse than that, loss of life," he said.
Fire chiefs have outlined growing fears following a number of incidents over the past few days.These include stone and petrol bomb attacks in Derry and reports that guns were brandished in the Co Armagh towns of Lurgan and Dungannon.
Mr McClelland said: "What we are seeing now is a different dimension with seemingly indiscriminate attacks which don't seem to be orchestrated in any way and don't seem to have any clear motive other than to attack public services," he said.
PA