Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service introduces innovative, sustainable emergency service hub

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is set to welcome Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance Service to their newly operational carbon-neutral community Tri-Station on Campbell Park Road, Hebburn.

This state-of-the-art combined emergency service centre is the first of its kind in the UK to be completely carbon-neutral, as reported by TWFRS.

The Hebburn Community Tri-Station, a flagship project for the region, is being developed by Esh Construction.

The North East Contractor locally sourced materials and employees to create the landmark building, with 86% of employees working on the scheme residents from the North East.

The site includes ground source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, a wildflower meadow to support local biodiversity, and ‘E’ cycle storage and charging facilities.

Over 340 photovoltaic panels are installed and spread across the tri-station’s flat roof, helping to generate up to 100% of the clean renewable electricity required to run the tri-station.

Leaders express enthusiasm for the collaborative facility

Peter Heath, Chief Fire Officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are looking forward to opening the doors to our brand-new fire station to our blue light colleagues late this month.

“All three organisations operating under one roof represent our vision to not only work alongside our blue light colleagues in the heart of the community but do so in a collaborative way that adds value to our communities.

“The project symbolises Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s vision to reduce our carbon footprint and support our local communities.”

Chief Superintendent Aelfwynn Sampson, Area Commander for South Tyneside at Northumbria Police, said: “We are really looking forward to joining our blue light colleagues in the new Hebburn Tri-Station.

“This exciting initiative is another great example of collaboration with emergency service partners in the area – and will allow us to strengthen our working relationships under one roof.

“The purpose-built facility will help ensure we can continue to provide the very best service possible to our surrounding communities, and ultimately be there when the public need us most.”

Stuart Holliday, Strategic Head of Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response at North East Ambulance Service, said: “The new Hebburn Tri-Station exemplifies the close working relationships we have in the region with our Fire and Police colleagues.

“Co-location enables us to learn from each other and form strong individual relationships, so that if we are asked to respond together to incidents, we can work with a better understanding of each other’s capabilities and provide safe and responsive care to all.”

The Hebburn Community Tri-Station is located between Marine Drive and Campbell Park Road in Hebburn, South Tyneside, replacing the existing fire station on Victoria Road West.

The station on Victoria Road West, formerly known as Hebburn Community Fire Station, came to its natural close earlier this week after serving the public and keeping them safe from harm for nearly sixty years.

IFSJ Comment

The introduction of the Hebburn Community Tri-Station marks a significant step forward in emergency services’ operational sustainability and collaborative efforts.

By housing fire, police, and ambulance services in a single, carbon-neutral facility, TWFRS demonstrates leadership in environmental stewardship and enhances the effectiveness of emergency response within the community.

This pioneering project sets a precedent for future developments within the emergency services sector across the UK and possibly internationally.