Firefighters are now serving the community from Theale Community Fire Station, after successfully relocating from Dee Road Fire Station in Tilehurst.
The relocation has been made possible thanks to a team effort involving staff from across the Service, led by the Capital Projects Team, who have worked effectively with the contractors on site.
Contractors Knights Brown began the build in January 2020 and despite the challenges of working during a global pandemic, they have successfully completed the build and recently handed over the site to RBFRS.
This new station supports our ongoing commitment to work collaboratively with our emergency service partners, offering a shared location for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service. As well as improvements for all Services in the efficient use of public funds, the relationships and opportunities of working more closely together is expected to support greater collective effectiveness for the services we provide to the public.
Councillor Angus Ross, Lead Member for Strategic Assets on Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said: “I am delighted that Theale Community Fire Station is now operational. This represents a significant step forward and is the culmination of years of hard work from teams across Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“The construction of this community fire station will help to deliver on our strategic commitment to ensure that our fire stations, people and resources are placed firmly at the heart of the local communities they are serving. I am sure that the new station will be a facility that the community will be proud of for many years to come.”
Although crews have moved into the new facility, several other teams will relocate in the coming weeks, as well as our partners from Thames Valley Police. After this process is completed, we intend to welcome local residents to see the new facility, with the official opening ceremony planned to take place in spring 2022.
To find out more about the project, please visit rbfrs.co.uk/theale.
