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14 June 2006
New Fire Station for Downham Market - official opening
A new £1 million fire station will be officially opened in Downham Market this Friday (June 16).
Chairman of Norfolk County Council Patrick Hacon will open the new station in Ryston Close at 11am.
Wyndham Northam, Cabinet Member for Fire and Community Protection at Norfolk County Council, said: "The opening of a new fire station is excellent news for Downham Market and the surrounding area. A new fire station, impressive as this one is, is only as good as those who work there. The firefighters at Downham Market have an excellent and well deserved reputation for their efforts in dealing with fire incidents and in preventing fires by carrying out home risk checks and fitting smoke detectors.
This new fire station is an example of the continued investment by Norfolk County Council in its Fire and Rescue Service and will, I am sure, help as we all strive to make Norfolk, already a safe County, even safer."
Watch Manager for Downham Market, Grant Cotterell, said: "Last summer we received our new state-of-the-art rescue pump and now we have a new fire station. It is an exciting time to be part of the fire and rescue service in Downham Market."
Work on the new fire station started last August and the new single-storey fire station has an appliance bay, lecture room, offices, a kitchen and storage areas.
NPS Property Consultants Ltd, the County Council's property services provider, successfully negotiated the purchase of the land from Norfolk Constabulary and has provided the design and project management services for the new fire station.
Andrew Broom, Architectural Technologist from NPS Property Consultants Ltd, said: "We are very pleased to have been involved in the design and building of this new fire station from conception to completion, combining modern facilities with an emphasis on durability and best value. Features include a long life quarry stone floor and a larger parking bay for the new type fire appliance. In addition, the dual site location shared with the police service and offering quick access to main roads, ensures that the people of West Norfolk have an even more effective & co-ordinated emergency response".
May Gurney was the main contractor for the project which has been completed on time and on budget.
*The day will be a double celebration as Downham Market Firefighter Steve Maney will receive his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal from Chief Fire Officer Richard Elliott.
The award is presented to fire service personnel who have given good service for 20 years.
Notes for editors
You are welcome to send a reporter/photographer to Friday's opening and the official opening will start at 11am.
Political Contacts
Wyndham Northam (Con) Cabinet member for Fire and Community Protection, 01263 721599
Trevor Wainwright (Lab), 01493 441001
David Callaby (Lib Dem) 01328 851967,
Chris Hull, (Green), (01603) 664928
For further information please contact:
Martin Barsby, Communications Officer, Norfolk County Council Fire Service
Tel: 01603 819759
Email : martin.barsby@fire.norfolk.gov.uk
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