The official opening of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) brand new Cardiff Central Fire Station based on Adam Street, Cardiff.

Cardiff Central Fire Station serves the centre of Cardiff, one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, and covers the communities of Riverside, Grangetown, Butetown, Adamstown, Cathays, Atlantic Wharf, the City Centre, Cardiff Bay, Splott and parts of Roath. The estimated population of these areas is 63,000 people, within approximately 5 square miles.

The original Fire Station, originally built as a headquarters building, proved to be too large when the three South Wales fire brigades amalgamated in 1996 to form South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. In addition, when the fire safety department relocated the SWFRS new HQ building based in Llantrisant in 2009 the office building and part of the Fire Station become became surplus to requirements.

The Fire Station remained in use, but due to its age, size and condition it was no longer fit for purpose. It was resolved to dispose of part of the site and use the receipt from the disposal to construct a new 21st century, state of the art, Fire Station.

As a result, in September 2011, building contractors Vinci Construction UK PLc commenced construction, completing the project in August 2012. The brand new, state of the art Fire Station has been designed and constructed to BREEAM EXCELLENT standards for energy efficiency and the design also includes many low maintenance features in order to reduce costs in the future.

Sally Chapman, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said;

“Cardiff Central Fire Station has been developed as part of the Service Asset management strategy and our continued commitment to ensure all of our Fire Stations and other SWFRS properties are modern, well maintained and accessible to all.

“We have also ensured the new Fire Station has minimal negative impact on the environment through being constructed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard and the community room situated within the Fire Station provides us with another opportunity to engage with our diverse communities”.

Councillor Tudor Davies, Chairman of South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority welcomed attendees to the official launch of Cardiff Central Fire Station and said;

“The new Cardiff Central Fire Station is an absolutely fantastic facility. A lot of hard work and consultation has gone into the development and completion of this Fire Station and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and a big well done to all those involved.

He concluded

“I wish all of our staff good health and safety for the future”.

Justin Jones, Station Manager, Cardiff Central Fire Station, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said;

“We are extremely pleased that this brand new, state of the art Fire Station is now complete and we are ready for action. It has many additional positive features one of witch is the community room that is based within the Station. This provides us with a brilliant opportunity to engage with different groups within our community.

He concluded;

“This really is a fantastic Fire Station that will meet the ever changing needs and demands of the community that we serve in and around Cardiff”.