Last updated: 09/07/2018, 6:16 PM

Dockhead crews move into brand new fire station

11/05/2016 15:47
London-wide
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Dockhead's fire crews have begun operating from their new state-of-the-art fire station.

Dockhead fire station was made famous throughout the 1980s and 1990s as the fictitious 'Blackwall Fire Station' in the popular ITV series 'London’s Burning'.

Located on Wolseley Street, the brand new building replaces the old station and will provide firefighters with modern facilities that meet the demands of a 21st century fire and rescue service.

It includes two larger appliance bays which are better able to accommodate the Brigade's latest vehicles, a four storey drill tower for training, offices and meeting rooms, a gym, lecture and quiet study rooms and a kitchen and dining area for firefighters.

Firefighters in front of fire engine

There are separate shower, changing and resting areas that can be modified to accommodate the different male to female ratio on each watch.

The rebuilt station also includes areas the public can visit to access important fire safety information, as well as a community room which will be available for bookings.  

One of nine fire stations rebuilt

The construction project was part of the Brigade's on-going Private Finance Initiative (PFI) programme that saw nine of London's fire stations coming to the end of their life-span replaced by brand new buildings.

Building work on the new Dockhead station began in March 2015 and was carried out by the Brigade's PFI delivery partner Blue3 (a Kier led consortium).

During the construction phase of the project Dockhead's firefighters and appliances operated out of Deptford fire station.

London Fire Brigade Dockhead Fire Station

Southwark's Borough Commander David Lindridge, said: "This brand new fire station is good news for our firefighters and good news for the local community.

"The previous station had served the community well for many years but was coming to the end of its working life and could no longer support the demands of a modern fire and rescue service.

"This fantastic new station provides us with facilities fit for the 21st century which will serve the people in this part of Southwark and London as a whole for many years to come."

Embracing an environmentally friendly approach

The design of the new fire station meets the highest environmental standards, as well as providing a high level of natural light, the building draws energy for power and heating from renewable sources including a combined heat and power unit and solar panels.

The building also reduces energy and water demands, cutting running costs and contributing to the Brigade's overall environmental performance.