Latest news with #firestation
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Emotional scenes as firefighters wave goodbye to old fire station
Serving and retired firefighters came together for a final parade at Stockport's old central fire station. Crews have now moved out of Stockport Community Fire Station ahead of work beginning on its 'state-of-the-art' replacement. The building on King Street West - between the town centre and Edgeley -is being demolished and rebuilt as part of a £6m project. Fire service bosses initially wanted to close the station, along with Whitehill station in Reddish, and merge them into one new station. READ MORE: Friends left stunned at Manchester Airport after landing £24,000 in terminal READ MORE: 'What happened to my wife was horrendous - the person responsible needs to come forward' But the large amount of redevelopment in the borough, particularly in and around the town centre, meant fire service chiefs were unable to find an affordable and suitable new site for the proposed new station. In November 2022 it was announced they would be retaining both and spending £6m on each, rebuilding them. The Stockport station is being done first. Crews working there have been relocated to Whitehill. The Manchester branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) posted on Facebook on Tuesday saying: "Today Stockport fire station closed its doors for the last time. "Crews will be working from Whitehill station whilst the old station at Stockport is demolished and the new one is built. Firefighters and retired Firefighters came together this morning for the last ever parade." The new building is expected to be ready for firefighters to move into next September. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) insists there will be no reduction in the number of fire engines or firefighters during the rebuild, and say they are 'absolutely confident that we will continue to provide our excellent emergency response'. "Firefighters will continue their usual duties in and around Stockport's station area, including prevention activities, school visits and training," they added. Sarah Nattrass, Aassistant chief fire officer, said: 'Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service apologises for any delay residents have felt in us providing an update to our plans for Stockport fire station. "We understand that any visible change in our arrangements can bring uncertainties and worries. 'The state-of-the-art fire station is set to be delivered in Autumn next year and will provide the community with a modern, flexible, resilient fire and rescue service. 'A public consultation was first undertaken in Spring 2023 to make sure the plans developed were in tune with the needs of the local community. Further details and updates have been available on our website throughout the process. 'I also want to reassure residents that there will be no reduction in the amount of fire engines or firefighters in the area during the rebuild process, with crews moving to nearby Whitehill station. "This decision has been taken after extensive data analysis and we are absolutely confident that we will continue to provide our excellent emergency response both within the immediate area around Stockport King Street West Fire Station and across the wider borough of Stockport. 'I am committed to providing our local community opportunities to hear directly from us as the construction of the new community fire station, which will bring lasting benefits to the borough, progresses.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Calgary's newest fire station also has housing and a park
The Varsity Multi-Service Centre, located at 3400 37 St. N.W. (City of Calgary handout/Artists' rendering) A new fire hall in the northwest community of Varsity has officially opened. The building, located at 3400 37 St. N.W., is not only a fire station, but also has residential housing and a park space. City officials say the Varsity Multi-Service Centre will strengthen emergency response to the community while also providing new housing options. 'This project is about building a resilient and inclusive community,' said Katie Black, general manager of community services, in a news release. 'We've brought together key services in one accessible location, while also adding much-needed housing.' Aside from a modernized fire station, the structure includes: 48 mixed-income housing units, including 11 barrier-free homes and several multi-generational family units; A household hazardous waste drop-off site; Flexible workspaces for city service teams operating in the community; and, A new parkette. 'Varsity Fire Station has served the community well for more than 50 years,' said Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth. 'This new fire station will ensure we will be able to serve the community into the future as the community continues to grow and change.' Officials say the old fire facility will be demolished once the new fire station is fully operational. The site of the old fire hall will then be transformed into even more park space. Those interested in taking a look at the new facility can visit during an open house, from 1 to 4 pm. on Saturday, June 28. More information can be found on the City of Calgary's website.
ABC News
19-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
New $5.6m Golden Square fire station in Bendigo useless because water pressure too low
A new multi-million-dollar fire station has sat dormant for months in Bendigo because the water pressure is not strong enough. The opening of the new $5.6 million Country Fire Authority (CFA) Golden Square fire station has been delayed since February following the failure of the water pressure compliance test. Golden Square CFA captain Bryan Greenwood said it was a frustrating time for the brigade. "Everyone's done everything they were meant to do. Unfortunately, it's just gotten to this point," he said. "Hopefully, it won't be too long." Mr Greenwood said the water pressure in Golden Square had worsened as the population grew in the area. He said the water pressure issue in the region had hindered their ability to fight fires in the area. "Our fire trucks only carry a certain amount of water on them," he said. "We need to be able to get that water out of the piping systems under the ground. "That [water] wasn't meeting the requirements. So, if we, unfortunately, did have a fire there [in Golden Square], we would have needed to get another water source in." Mr Greenwood said firefighters hoped to be inside the new station within the next two months. The old station, which Mr Greenwood said crews were still operating from, is one of the oldest in Victoria. The new station is about three times the size of the old building. Local water authority Coliban Water said all required infrastructure had been installed at the CFA facility. "All Coliban Water requirements for metering and sewer services have been approved and installed at the CFA site in Golden Square," a spokesperson said. The Victorian government said it was working with the CFA and Coliban Water to address the problem. "We're working with the CFA and Coliban Water to make sure appropriate water pressure is delivered to the site before the station opens in the next few months," a spokesperson said. The CFA was also contacted for comment but referred requests to the state government agency in charge of the building, the Community Safety Building Authority (CSBA). The CSBA has been contacted for comment.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Norfolk WW2 firefighter recognised with medal from King Charles III
A firefighter who served at a village station during World War Two has been recognised by King Charles Betts, who worked at Wroxham Fire Station in Norfolk, was presented with a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 97-year-old joined the village's fire station in 1942 when the county was part of the National Fire Service. Talking about the start of his career, Mr Betts said: "When I started at Wroxham during the war, we slept there in hammocks." Mr Betts, who still lives in the village, served at the service until 1963, with the fire at Horstead Mill being one of his final calls. Talking about his role during WW2, he added: "I was on the control and when the message came in that the enemy was coming, I had to ring up five fire stations to tell them. "I then had to ring them all back to tell them when they were gone."He was presented with the medal at Carrow Fire Station, in Norwich, on behalf of the King. His grandson, who researched his grandfather's career, said: "He saw the original fire station being built at Wroxham when he went up there on a holiday from the children's home where he lived. "He ended up being fostered and then adopted by the people he stayed with – and his foster-father, Mr Blake, was a leading fire officer at Wroxham."Mr Betts married his wife in 1949, and the pair had two children. Their son Christopher, who followed his father into the fire service, also served at the station. He lost his life during a fire at The Chequers Hainford pub in 1987. Scott Norman, deputy chief fire officer at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We'd like to thank you for your service, which started during wartime, and for your commitment to the people of Wroxham and the surrounding area."The loss of your son Christopher was such a sacrifice. I hope he is smiling down on us here today." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Silverthorne Fire Station for Summit Fire and EMS officially opens for growing Colorado community
After years in the making, Summit Fire & EMS has officially opened its newest fire station, bringing critical emergency services closer to the growing Colorado neighborhoods north of Silverthorne. This strategic new location will provide faster response times for neighbors previously relying on the Dillon station as their closest option. That closer location also has potential insurance savings for residents, as well as addressing long-standing concerns about traffic congestion and emergency access. CBS "Having this here eliminates a good mile of that traffic," explains Silverthorne resident Tim Boucher. "So it's really going to help a lot having the vehicles here, having the EMS here, you know, the medical, because there's so many homes around here that really need the medical." The new station, though starting with a small crew, is designed for immediate impact. "Right now, what we're running out of here is a two-person medic unit crew based off of one firefighter, paramedic, one firefighter/EMT," says Battalion Chief Ryan Cole of B Shift for Summit Fire and EMS. "They're still all hazards; they can still respond to any type of call that we would go to." While currently operating with a two-person crew, these highly trained individuals can operate a full fire engine, an ambulance, or a wildland truck -- a crucial asset in the high country. This nimble staffing ensures that even with a smaller initial footprint, the new station can respond effectively to a range of emergencies. Chief Cole notes that while the current call volume doesn't necessitate a full six-person crew, "it is growing that way." The "ribbon cutting" for the new Summit Fire and EMS station featured a fire hose instead of a ribbon. CBS Summit Fire and EMS has said the emphasis on speed and efficiency is intended to bring some peace of mind for the northern Silverthorne neighbors. "From the time the tones drop to the time the wheels are turning, we're looking for a 90 second turnout time," Chief Cole said. "It's being able to get there quickly for the people who are calling for what they're needing, whether that is simply a smoke detector set off by cooking or an actual medical emergency, we want to get there in a timely manner and provide the care that the people are expecting." For residents, they tell CBS Colorado the peace of mind is immeasurable. "Seconds away is a feel good for us older people because you never know what could happen," says Tim Boucher. "And having them here, having these vehicles here, the EMS here is wonderful. It's a big help." CBS Beyond immediate emergency response, the new station also offers a significant financial benefit: potentially lower insurance premiums. With quicker access to emergency services, residents north of Silverthorne can now demonstrate a reduced risk, which should have a positive impact on their insurance costs. This was one of the key factors residents advocated for in accelerating the station's development. As the neighborhoods continue to grow, Summit Fire & EMS anticipates expanding its crews to meet the increasing demand, ensuring the community remains safe and well-protected for years to come.
