Royal Berkshire Fire Authority has approved plans to invest in a substantial refurbishment of Slough Fire Station.
Slough will be the third fire station in Berkshire to undergo a refurbishment programme following the works at Bracknell and Maidenhead Fire Stations in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said: “This investment is a clear signal that the Fire Authority remains fully committed to ensuring firefighters have the right facilities to enable them to serve the communities of Berkshire.
“The works will provide a much improved working environment for our current and future staff, bringing our workplaces up to date to meet the needs of a modern fire and rescue service and our next generation of firefighters and I am delighted that the Authority continues to upgrade our buildings and facilities where needed.”
Slough Fire Station has been identified among our sites as in need of refurbishment, supporting a modern fire and rescue service. The scheme will seek comprehensive improvements across four phases by:
- Creating facilities that support, encourage and promote a more diverse workforce by replacing shared dormitory with individual private study and rest areas;
- Creating new personal and equipment cleaning facilities to help minimise the occupational risk of exposure to contaminants, improving decontamination and contamination control;
- Making the estate more environmentally friendly by carrying out improvements to reduce our carbon output and reduce our energy costs through the introduction of LED lighting and insulation upgrades; and
- Investing in the fabric of the buildings to ensure longevity of our current estate and to provide fit-for-purpose workplaces for our staff.
Following Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s approval, a contractor will now be formally appointed with works expected to begin on site in November 2023. The anticipated completion date for the refurbishment is July 2024.