Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Saltash at 28/06/2003 14:30

*****PHOTO OPPORTUNITY*****
2.30PM – SATURDAY JUNE 28TH AT SALTASH FIRE STATION

Cornwall County Fire Brigade’s seventh ‘community fire station’ will be opened officially by Bert Biscoe, Executive Member Corporate Support at a special ceremony at 2.30pm on Saturday 28th June 2003.

The station is part of the £40 million contract agreed under the Government’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme. The partnership between Cornwall County Council and Pyramid Accommodation Services (Cornwall) Limited will, when completed this year, have resulted in the replacement of ten stations (including Saltash), the major refurbishment of two further fire stations, the upgrading of 19 others and their ongoing management over the next 27 years.

The new station has up to date training facilities, which are needed to ensure that firefighters remain at the highest level of personal safety and operational efficiency. As with all other new, or refurbished stations Saltash has improved facilities, which should assist the Brigade to attract more women into the Fire Service. Access for disabled persons has also been improved thereby ensuring that all members of the local community can enter the station to receive vital fire safety advice.

The building has accommodation for two fire engines, a meeting and lecture room and a training tower.

“I am glad to be opening this new Community Fire Station in Saltash. It is a clear signal, if any were needed, that the high quality, innovation and cost effectiveness which characterises the work of Cornwall County Council, applies right across Cornwall, from Saltash to St Just, Bude to St Buryan.”
said Bert Biscoe, Executive Member Corporate Support

He cont; “These facilities will enable the Cornwall Fire Brigade to provide easy access to fire safety advice and information”.

“Saltash Community Fire Station is one of ten stations being rebuilt in the county, however this station is unique as it is the only one where the rebuild took place on the same site” said Chief Fire Officer Mick Howell.

He cont: “I am delighted that the outcome guarantees we can continue to provide a high quality service to the community of Saltash. This is also thanks to the dedication of the personnel at the station, who have co-operated throughout the disruptive building phase”

Nick Coombes, Saltash Station Officer said “The firefighters in Saltash have not had a new fire station since 1944. With the modern facilities on the new community station we can now provide excellent fire safety advice and a fire and rescue service to the community of Saltash for many years”.