Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has marked the start of construction on its ambitious new All Hazards Village with a ceremonial breaking of the ground event at its Service Headquarters and Training Centre in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
Representatives from Gateshead-based Meldrum Construction Services Group Ltd joined senior officers and colleagues from the Service this week to celebrate the beginning of the 10-month build programme that will deliver a training environment designed to prepare firefighters and emergency service partners for a wide range of real-life incidents.
Once completed, the All Hazards Village will provide realistic training scenarios, enabling firefighters to develop and maintain the skills needed to respond safely and effectively to emergencies both now and in the future.
The purpose-built facility will include a variety of simulated residential and commercial environments, featuring a detached four-bedroom burn house, semi-detached properties with simulated hazard areas including shop areas, garages, kitchens, living spaces and bedrooms.
Designed to replicate real-world conditions, the village will allow crews to train in a safe and controlled environment while facing the challenges they may encounter at operational incidents.
The project forms part of a long-term investment in firefighter training and complements the extensive range of specialist facilities already available at the Service’s Washington training site.
These include a collapsed structure simulator used by Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to recreate building collapse and major incident scenarios, alongside a decommissioned Nexus Metro train and dedicated rail track structure that supports specialist rail incident training exercises.
The All Hazards Village project also includes a further capital investment in the internal alteration and refurbishment of the existing ‘Tall Fire Structure’ to complement the future training activities the All Hazards Village will host. The structure is currently used for practising rescue scenarios such as high-rise emergencies and vertical rescues.
Together, the facilities allow firefighters, USAR technicians, canine search teams and partner agencies to train in complex, realistic situations that improve operational readiness and strengthen multi-agency response arrangements.
On the All Hazards Village TWFRS are also working with Identity Consult (Project Managers and CDM Managers); Lumsdon Wood Partnership (Quantity Surveyors); Napper Architects; Neeco Ltd (Mechanical & Electrical Engineers); and Portland Consulting Engineers Ltd (Structural & Civil Engineers).
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dave Preston said:
“The All Hazards Village is a key part of our long-term plan to ensure our crews have the modern, realistic training facilities they need to maintain their competence and respond safely to an increasingly complex range of emergencies.
“It reflects the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority’s continued priority and commitment to providing resources that support the safety of firefighters and the wider public.
“This facility will allow our crews to develop the critical skills needed to save lives. By creating a highly realistic training environment, we can accurately replicate the complex risk profile our firefighters face on a daily basis. It ensures our teams are fully prepared for the most demanding real-world challenges, ultimately allowing us to better protect our communities.
“We are very much looking forward to working alongside Meldrum Construction Services Group to deliver this new facility.”
Also, its close proximity to the site’s existing training assets will allow firefighters to undertake integrated exercises alongside colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service and Northumbria Police, helping blue-light partners develop the skills, communication and teamwork needed to respond effectively when lives are at risk.
Brian Lee, Operations Director at Meldrum Facilities commented:
“The most effective training environments are those that mirror real-world challenges. We’re proud to support projects that push the boundaries of specialist construction whilst helping emergency responders build the skills they need to serve and protect our communities.”
The facility is expected to be completed in the summer of 2027 and will further strengthen Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s reputation as a leader in firefighter training, innovation and community safety.