Conservative Party co-chairman and Minister without Portfolio Baroness Warsi officially opened Newcastle under Lyme's new Community Fire Station yesterday [Jan 19] describing it as a great example of localism in action.

At the official opening attented by many local dignitaries and fire and rescue service personnel she said: "There is a unique set up in Staffordshire, the stations have been transformed so that they don't just provide a response service they provide for the community.

"It's clear that the Service don't do jobs in silo, they work with partners and the local community which has been key to the success of this [community fire stations] project and it was a delight to officially open the [latest] station."

The state of the art station has been designed to provide a range of facilities for the local community including two community meeting rooms, a dedicated area for student firefighters and a gym as well as housing two fire engines, a water rescue unit, a specialist decontamination unit, a targeted response vehicle and a welfare unit.

Staffordshire FRS Chief Fire Officer Peter Dartford is delighted with the local community's response to the station since it opened in August last year.

"Our new community fire stations have really become a key focal point for local people and Newcastle is proof of this, as it is already attracting over 40 community bookings per month," he said.

"It is a fantastic station that has been welcomed by both the firefighters working here and the community using the facilities."

For more information visit www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk
Posted 20/01/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com