THE FIRE service has said no emergency response vehicles will be kept outside of Hereford throughout demolition and construction if plans to replace Hereford's fire station are approved.
The plan to replace Hereford's St Owen Street fire station was submitted to Herefordshire Council last year, with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service seeking permission to knock down the existing 1950s fire station and replace it with a new four-storey building.
A replacement is needed, consultants Bond Bryan said in documents submitted to the council, as the existing station is no longer fit for purpose, is uneconomical to operate, and as it is poor in its environmental performance.
The proposed new fire station would have four double appliance bays alongside appropriate operational accommodation and welfare requirements for the fire and rescue service, a training tower, car parking and electric vehicle charging points.
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Minutes from a recent meeting of Hereford City Council said fire cover will have to be carried out from other sites during the demolition and construction period, with some vehicles, such as the high platform and Land Rover, being located outside the city.
But a fire service spokesperson said today (March 21) that no vehicles will be moved outside the city at any point during the demolition and construction process.
"All fire engines will remain in Hereford", the spokesperson said.
Chief fire officer Jonathon Pryce and assistant chief Adrian Elliot said the temporary relocation would still allow sufficient immediate response to be maintained, while the proposed new building will enable co-operation with other services as it will offer surplus office space for joint working.
It will also provide sufficient room for future service expansion, while a meeting room will mean that all decision meetings will no longer have to be held in Worcestershire.
Consultation on the proposal for the new fire station ended in January, with a target decision date of March 31.
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