Weymouth fire and rescue training centre plans submitted

A new regional fire and rescue training centre for Dorset is set to be built if plans are approved.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue (DWFR) submitted proposals for a multimillion-pound facility at its station at Radipole Lane, Weymouth.

The centre would have replica buildings for firefighters to train on.

DWFR said it would be "cost-effective" and replace the out-dated, county-wide training centre at a former army base in West Moors.

The new Weymouth centre would feature a wide range of settings for staff training, including crashed vehicles, work accident settings and firefighting in a range of buildings as well as breathing apparatus training.

It is intended to have 10 instructors with seven technical and support staff, working with up to 20 students at a time.

DWFR said it has had held several consultation events with near-neighbours and there were proposals to deal with any likely smoke, noise and fumes.

Weymouth councillor Pete Barrow, who sits on the fire and rescue authority, said: "We all need a fire and rescue service that can respond effectively and safely if we need help and this requires the staff to be trained to the highest possible standards.

"I'm convinced the new training centre will enable the service to do just that."

The fire authority's financial statements in the last year shows £8m set aside in the capital budget for the Weymouth centre and a re-design of the existing facility in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Public comments are now being invited on the proposals, prior to Dorset Council making a final decision next year.

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