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3 November 2023
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Fire stations of the world: Whitchurch Fire Station opens new Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Wales building, UK
Whitchurch Fire Station opened its new Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Wales building on 19 April 2023, representing the three Fire and Rescue Services in Wales. This new facility has been created with the support and funding from Welsh Government and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and will ensure the highest level of training and operational capabilities of personnel across Wales. It has been designed with sustainability in mind and will provide a modern, environmentally considerate and functioning building behind Whitchurch Fire Station.
The new facility provides the USAR team with a purpose built building for stowage of appliances and equipment, offices, meeting rooms and training facilities in an environmentally friendly way with a ground source heat pump and powered by solar panels.
“We were delighted to be joined by a number of guests including Deputy Minister Hannah Blythyn, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway and Chair of the South Wales Fire Authority Steven Bradwick to officially open the building.”
Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, said, “Being able to respond to major disasters has both a national and international importance. This new Urban Search and Rescue facility at Whitchurch Fire Station will help ensure we have the best possible resources in place with highly trained crews ready to respond to keep communities safe. I’m pleased we have been able to provide £1,3 million pounds towards the cost of the refurbishments as part of our continued support for national resilience. I very much wish all who will use these facilities every success.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager, Matt Jones, said, “We’d like to extend our thanks go to Welsh Government for funding USAR Wales. Without the funding and support from Welsh Government, this building would not be here and we would not be as prepared for future urban incidents as we are now. I would also like to thank personnel at Whitchurch Station and the local community for their patience during the development process. This modern and sustainable building represents our commitment and dedication to providing the best service we can in Wales.”
To mark the opening, experts presented and demonstrated a range of USAR Wales assets and capabilities, including specialist equipment and resources, new building and its features, training with the National Resilience Wales leadership team and a demonstration from Cooper, the USAR dog.
Sources: National Resilience Wales, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
The new facility provides the USAR team with a purpose built building for stowage of appliances and equipment, offices, meeting rooms and training facilities in an environmentally friendly way with a ground source heat pump and powered by solar panels.
“We were delighted to be joined by a number of guests including Deputy Minister Hannah Blythyn, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway and Chair of the South Wales Fire Authority Steven Bradwick to officially open the building.”
Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, Hannah Blythyn, said, “Being able to respond to major disasters has both a national and international importance. This new Urban Search and Rescue facility at Whitchurch Fire Station will help ensure we have the best possible resources in place with highly trained crews ready to respond to keep communities safe. I’m pleased we have been able to provide £1,3 million pounds towards the cost of the refurbishments as part of our continued support for national resilience. I very much wish all who will use these facilities every success.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager, Matt Jones, said, “We’d like to extend our thanks go to Welsh Government for funding USAR Wales. Without the funding and support from Welsh Government, this building would not be here and we would not be as prepared for future urban incidents as we are now. I would also like to thank personnel at Whitchurch Station and the local community for their patience during the development process. This modern and sustainable building represents our commitment and dedication to providing the best service we can in Wales.”
To mark the opening, experts presented and demonstrated a range of USAR Wales assets and capabilities, including specialist equipment and resources, new building and its features, training with the National Resilience Wales leadership team and a demonstration from Cooper, the USAR dog.
Sources: National Resilience Wales, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
