Fire service showcases £5.5m station with green technology

The Dearne Community Fire Station, in Manvers, near Rotherham, was built to replace outdated sites in the area and has been fitted with the latest green technology.

It includes the use of solar power and water recycling and it is projected that the environmental measures will help South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue reduce its carbon footprint.

The brigade's head of asset management Andrew Stevens said it was hoped that other fire brigades would now use the Dearne station as an example to follow in future.

He added: "The new Dearne fire station not only offers considerable operational benefits and community facilities, its environmental features also help make it an industry pace-setter for green design within the fire and rescue service.

"Environmental initiatives are now a fundamental part of all our major projects, as well as our day-to-day property management work. A lot of hard work has gone into developing the green features of the new station.

"As well as helping to keep our energy costs low, it will greatly increase the sustainability of this important community facility for decades to come."

Four frontline fire appliances are based at the station, which also includes training facilities for the brigade's technical rescue unit.

Heat for the station is provided by a ground source heat pump which drives heat from 330ft underground into underfloor heating fitted throughout.

Later this year a wind turbine will be added for further power.