HLM’s project team joined the fire crew, local dignitaries and senior officers for the official opening of Bishop’s Waltham’s new-build fire station on 27th March.
Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin and HIWFRA Chairman Councillor Rhydian Vaughan, MBE, both spoke at the ceremony, and the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire presented the opening plaque for the station.
Bishop’s Waltham’s new retained fire station offers a vast improvement on the previous build, which dated back to 1960. The new building fabric provides greater energy efficiency and modern facilities respond to the operational requirements, to support effective and efficient service delivery.
New training areas include a training tower with a roof transfer, which will provide a training facility for both Bishop’s and the surrounding stations. The station also includes a new gym to support firefighters in their fitness tests, and a conference room with inclusive, accessible facilities to support its community.
Steven Lennon, Head of Justice and Emergency Services, commented,
“It has been great working with HIWFRS and Morgan Sindall to deliver this critical piece of both community and safety infrastructure at the heart of Bishop Waltham, which will provide tangible benefits in the form of new community facility and the improved operational, training and gender facilities for the local fire fighters.”
These contemporary measures reflect the values of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, ensuring the fire response crew is fully supported while enhancing the link between the service and the wider community.
