The formal opening of Brixham Fire Station
On Saturday 5 March we celebrated the formal opening of the new Brixham Fire Station. Two of our fire cadets Caitlin and Thomas shared the cutting of the opening ribbon while Chair of the Fire Authority Sara Randall-Johnson and Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell unveiled the plaque alongside the Brixham crews with their families and friends.
Lee Howell, Chief Fire Officer said: “This is a special day, not just for the community and firefighters of Brixham but also for the wider family that is Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
“Covid-19 brought its challenges to the build but work has persisted throughout. It is proof of our continual investment into our estates, ensuring the safety of our communities and our firefighters. We hope it will become a landmark building for the area.”
About the new station
This modern fire station sits in the heart of Brixham. It is designed and built to the highest standards, meeting the demands of Brixham’s on-call crew and its local community.
The station has been designed to make a positive contribution to the environment reducing the building's carbon footprint. This includes solar panels being installed on the sloping roof and heating systems being fed by air source heat pumps. The new building will meet the operational needs of the firefighters while balancing the quality of design. This is part of the Service's continuing investment into its estates, ensuring the safety of its communities as well as its firefighters.
Watch Manager, Sean Burnell said: “It is fantastic that we have now taken ownership of our new fire station for the firefighters and community of Brixham after nearly ten years of working out of portacabins.
"This investment from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority has provided us with a modern, fit-for-purpose station. Enabling firefighters to maintain and improve their skills and fitness levels, thanks to the excellent facilities. Crucially, this will ultimately improve both firefighter and community safety, and the benefits will be felt for years to come."
Our fire cadets
Two of our fire cadets joined us for the day and shared the cutting of the ribbon to open the station.
Caitlin Houghton, from Tiverton fire cadets, said: “It is an absolute honour to be here. When I joined the fire cadets, I never imagined I would be helping to open a new fire station. Just being part of the day and seeing the new station is great."
Thomas Abbot from the Plymouth fire cadet unit said: “I’ve wanted to be in the fire service since I was four and today is a wonderful experience for me. I have been a fire cadet for four years now and I absolutely love it. I would encourage anyone over the age of thirteen to do it. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and get out of your comfort zone and learn new ways of thinking.”
Become a firefighter at Brixham
Cllr Sara Randall-Johnson Chair of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority said: “The Fire Authority continues to invest in the Service and all the members are delighted to see the delivery of this much deserved new fire station in Brixham. Our firefighters are always ready to respond to the call for help from those at risk, which is why working as an on-call firefighter is so rewarding.
"Firefighters are the ones who make Brixham a safer place to live and work. Come and support your local community and join the Service.”
Brixham Fire Station is recruiting for on-call firefighters. If you are interested, please call into the station during drill night on a Thursday evening, 7 – 9pm, or check out our on-call firefighter vacancies.