FIREFIGHTERS will be able to practice tackling blazes at a new training centre being built in Rugby – the first of its kind in Warwickshire.
The facility in Paynes Lane will be made up of a series of structures mimicking different types of buildings which can be repeatedly set on fire.
The Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) centre, which began construction on Monday (February 26), will create realistic training scenarios where firefighters can learn skills in a controlled environment.
The facility will include employee saunas and showers to reduce the health risks associated with the byproducts of fire, and prevent contamination into the wider community.
It will also contain a state-of-the-art filtration and scrubbing system which captures harmful contaminates from smoke which can be disposed of safely.
The zero emissions facility will be the first of its kind in the county, with firefighters previously being required to travel to neighbouring counties to train.
This means firefighters will now be able to attend large-scale emergencies if needed during training days, with the facility home to a fire engine.
WFRS will generate extra funds for WFRS by loaning it out for external training.
Ben Brook, Chief Fire Officer at WFRS, said: “Providing our colleagues with the highest calibre of training has always been an essential part of our operations, and bringing this in-house is an important step forward.
“Firefighters will no longer have to travel outside the county for training opportunities, which is beneficial both to them and to the community who will have higher levels of protection with them closer to home.
“Having the site under our own management also means that we have full control over the quality of the training provided, as well as key factors such as contamination prevention and minimising the environmental impact.”
Coun Andy Crump, Warwickshire County Council’s spokesman for fire and rescue, said: “This state-of-the-art facility will help to upskill our people in their roles protecting the communities of Warwickshire and, importantly, has measures in place to protect their health while doing so.”
The facility is due to be completed by mid-2024.
