The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Dame Mary Fagan opened the brand new facility before an invited audience of over 150 guests when she unveiled a plaque marking the occasion. The station relocated from its home of 74 years at North Walls to its new state-of-art facility in Easton Lane, Winnall, earlier this year.
The new fire station in Winchester is larger; able to accommodate 70-plus personnel. Its strategic location at a junction of the M3, together with the earlier move to continuously crewed rather than day crewed, means it will provide faster emergency cover over a greater area. As well as increased and better training facilities, it contains the offices of the Technical Fire Safety team who work with commercial organisations in and around Winchester to reduce risk. The new fire station will also be available for partner organisations to use and houses a new Road Safety centre which will be staffed by instructors from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's world-class extrication team.
The station is a beacon of modernity and an example of how environmentally friendly practices can be adopted in fire stations. The facility benefits from some cutting edge eco-friendly technology, including ground source heat pumping, solar panels, photo-voltaic panels and rainwater harvesting.
Chief Officer John Bonney said: "We are hoping the building is going to be certified as 'excellent' by BRE Environmental Assessment Method. This is the world's most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings, setting the standard for best practice in sustainable design. We are also supporting Winchester District Strategic Partnership's High Quality Environment Group and this station represents part of our contribution to the important work of making Winchester and Hampshire a thriving low carbon economy. This station is a striking example of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's commitment to 'going green'.
"We are extremely pleased with the end result. Winchester fire station is a tangible demonstration of the progressive nature and commitment of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service."
Speaking after the event, Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine added; "We are so lucky to have this world-class facility serving Winchester. I hope my constituents will sleep a little easier in their beds knowing we are so well served by Hampshire Fire & Rescue.
"From increased flooding to forest fires, climate change is one of the great drivers of demand for the service so it is fitting the new station is doing so much to make Winchester a low-carbon economy."
Pictured; Steve Brine with Steve Ask (Station Manager) and some of the retained fire-fighters working out of Winchester.