Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

St Austell at 26/04/2003 14:30

Cornwall County Fire Brigade’s third newly built ‘community fire station’ will be opened officially by County Councillor John Lobb, Leader of Cornwall County Council at a special ceremony at 2.30 pm on Saturday April 26th.

During the opening ceremony Councillor Jill Ferrett will be unveiling The World Peace Garden Stained Glass Window. The window was donated to St Austell Fire Station by the people of Cornwall. It is in memory of the 343 firefighters who gave their lives so valiantly at the World Trade Centre, New York, USA on September 11th 2001 and is dedicated to world peace.

A twin window has also been donated to the New York Fire Department as a way of connecting the NYFD with their colleagues in Cornwall and honouring the firefighters and families who survived and carried on so courageously.

Cllr Mrs Jill Ferrett explains: “The members of Cornwall County Fire Brigade raised the money for the windows by rowing the length of the Cornish Coastline, approximately 400 kilometres, on rowing machines at Newquay and St Austell”
She cont: “They wanted to show how they respected the work of the New York Firefighters. The St Austell Fire Station window will be a standing memorial to those NY firefighters that made the ultimate sacrifice”.

St Austell’s new Fire 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 St
Austell), the major refurbishment of two further fire stations, the upgrading of 19 others and their ongoing management over the next 27 years.

As with all other new, or refurbished stations St Austell 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, which also acts as Central Division Headquarters, has accommodation for two fire engines, fire safety offices, a meeting room and a training tower.
The station opening will also honour the bravery of Captain Tom J Smith, an important figure in Cornwall’s firefighting history. County Councillor Mrs Pat Rowe, Vice Chairman of Cornwall County Council, will be rededicating his collection of medals which includes the King’s Medal for Gallantry” said Chief Fire Officer Mick Howell.

Cllr John Lobb, Leader of the County Council added: “I am honoured to be able to officially open this station which has become the flag-ship of the fire PFI scheme. The County Council is rightly proud of its fire brigade and is delighted that the completion of the PFI building phase is providing the vital training facilities need by the firefighters”.

St Austell Station Officer Steve Halstead said “The firefighters at St Austell are thrilled with the new station as it has up to date training facilities, which are needed to ensure that they remain at the highest level of personal safety and operational efficiency”

He added: “We have all waited a long time for this day and are delighted that we can unveil the Peace Window and re-dedicate Tom Smith’s medals at the same event – it’ll be a day to remember”.