Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Torpoint at 14/06/2003 14:30

Cornwall County Fire Brigade’s sixth ‘community fire station’ will be opened officially by Cornwall County Council Chief Executive Peter Stethridge at a special ceremony at 2.30pm on Saturday 14th 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 (includingTorpoint), 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 Torpoint 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 proud to be opening this sixth new community fire station, which can only enhance the skills and professionalism of the firefighters that serve in it. It will also play an important part in providing an excellent service to the whole community, and assist in our aim to make Cornwall the safest place in which to live, work and visit. said Peter Stethridge, Chief Executive Cornwall County Council

“This is a memorable celebration in the history of Cornwall County Fire Brigade especially for the firefighters in the town, and of the course the people they serve” said Chief Fire Officer Mick Howell.

He cont: “Our PFI Team is responsible for this particular success, but we are also grateful for an immense amount of co-operation across the County from outside organisations. This is particularly true here as the site was previously occupied by Torpoint School but with the good offices of the Headmaster and Governors we secured the use of the site for our purposes as well as continuing to provide the on-going needs of the school”

Torpoint Station Officer Dave Hunt said “The firefighters and I are very proud of our brand new community fire station. It provides us with the facilities to deliver first class fire safety advice and a fire fighting and rescue service which will serve our community for many years to come”.