A state-of-the-art Tri-Station that will see all three blue-light services under one roof will be the first of its kind in the country to be completely carbon neutral.
Earlier this year Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) revealed plans to build the new multi-million pound station in Hebburn.
It is proposed that the building will be a Tri-Station and see the fire service share the building with Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service.
But now one of the leading figures behind construction of the station has said it will be the first station of its kind in the country to be completely carbon neutral.
The sustainable station will have solar panels on the roof, a wildflower meadow that will help increase local biodiversity and a system that will store and re-use rain water.
It will also have a number of car and cycle charging ports with the view of all three services having a fleet of electric vehicles.
Andrew Warren, Head of Estates and Facilities at TWFRS, said the Service is committed to protecting the environment as world leaders convene at COP26.
He said: ‘Hebburn will be the first, but hopefully not the last station, of its kind as we work together towards more sustainable living.
‘I’m proud of the hard work and dedication from all of our blue light family that’s gone into making our new Tri-Station carbon neutral, we’ve really tried to be as sustainable as possible.
‘We’ve got a variety of different sustainability elements such as roof panels and electric charge points that are going into the new building and hopefully give back.
‘This is not just about the firefighters of today, we are leaving a legacy of good sustainable behaviour that hopefully continues for generations.
‘We all can do more when it comes to being more sustainable at work even if it’s something as little as turning down the heating or making sure your equipment is not left on standby.’
The Hebburn Tri-Station is not the only thing TWFRS are doing to minimise their impact on the environment.
The Service have revealed that, thanks to their own Environmental Task Group, all 17 of their stations outperform the national average for public sector buildings.
To find out more about the plans for the new Tri-Station, visit the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service website at www.twfire.gov.uk
