New Fire Station Opens

History of The Newton Road Fire Station

During 1892, a plot of land was purchased in what is known as Newton Road for £150 (2 acres 10 pole). The Council decided, in 1900, to apply to the local Government Board for sanction to obtain a loan for the provision of a Fire Station and Town Depot at a cost of £3750.

The following is an extract from a local paper dated Friday 18th October 1901, referring to the Fire Station which was then under construction.

The building is now in course of construction by Mr C E Bayes and was designed by Mr W B Madin, the capable surveyor to the Rushden Urban Council who, previous to his connection with Rushden, was Assistant Surveyor at Leek, where he was an active member of the Fire Brigade. The handsome building will be of red brick and Bath stone dressing, and is roofed with Broseley tiles. The engine-house will be lined with glazed bricks. On the ground floor accommodation is provided for two engines and hose cart, with hose and appliances; the escape is housed in a recess next the engine-room and the watch-room is on the opposite side of the engine-room. The hose drying 'tower is 47 feet high, and will be fitted with racks and pulleys for hoisting hose. The heatingvault is in the base of the tower, and the whole of the building will be heated with hot water on the low pressure system. On the first floor a spacious recreation room is provided, together with storerooms etc. The drill yard will be paved with tarmacadam, and a hose-washing channel is provided at one side of the yard. A 2-inch water main and hydrant will be laid down for practice and cleaning purposes. The engines, after attending a fire, can be taken into the drill yard by the side entrance and be cleaned, and so avoid the dirt being taken into the engine-house. In the event of the Council deciding to keep horses, a stable can be economically erected where shown on drawing. Mr Fred Knight J P, is captain of the brigade and Mr G Turner secretary.  The total cost of the building will be £1,700.

The Station was occupied towards the end of 1902.

The equipment at that time, consisted of a horse drawn Manual Pump, a Hose Cart and a Hand Escape. All the hose couplings were of the screw type, and were changed to the instantaneous design with the advent of the Steamer, in 1907.

An 'Electrical Alarm Bell System' was also' installed in the New Station, which enabled all the members to be called by a bell fixed in each house and worked from a hand dynamo generator in the Station.

Even with these new additions it was usually twenty minutes before the Brigade were able to turnout to a call, as there was still the question of the horses.

It was not until 1921, when Mr R F Knight was in command, assisted by Mr W Packwood, that a Motor Tender was obtained, which made it possible for the Brigade to turn out in five minutes.

Owing to the rapid growth of the town, the Urban District Council in 1927 purchased a 250-300 gallon Dennis Motor Pump fitted with a first-aid tank and hose reel.

The constitution of the Rushden Fire Station in 1905 was; a Captain, Second Officer, Third Officer, Secretary and six firemen, all volunteers.

The New Fire Station Washbrook Road

The opening of this Fire Station today is the culmination of over ten years' planning.

This site covering approximately 3 acres was first identified as long ago as 1974.

The Station comprises a three bay appliance room, watch room, lecture room, locker room and hygiene facilities on the ground floor. On the first floor are the Station Commanders' Office, Training Office, kitchen and dining room.

To the rear of the Station is the drill yard with a five storey tower and two storey Breathing Apparatus training complex.

Along one side of the Station there are six houses which will be occupied by some of the Firefighters and Junior Officers who will man the appliances.

The houses were designed and built by the local firm of Marriotts Limited.

Modern technology and communications have provided quite exceptional improvements to the efficiency of the Fire Brigade. Only seconds after a caller has dialled 999 the first life saving appliance can be on its way. A radio message from the fire ground can initiate instant assistance from any, or all, of the twenty one fire Stations in the County.

Computers in Control store information on many different chemicals and this information can be retrieved and transmitted to the fire ground within minutes.

The new Water Tender Ladder is a modern version of the first petrol driven pumping appliances to be used at the old Station in 1927. It is powered by a diesel engine with power take off to the built-in pump, capable of delivering 2250 litres of water per minute. Housed in the centre is a water tank holding 1800 litres.

In the neatly stowed lockers are many additional items of equipment specifically designed to meet the demands of the latter part of the 20th Century:- Chemical protection suits, hydraulic rescue kits, radiation equipment and oxygen resuscitators to name only a few.

Not all the essential equipment can be carried on the pumping appliances and specialist vehicles are required. These are positioned at strategic Stations throughout Northamptonshire. The Brigade Chemical Incident Unit and Canteen Vehicle are stationed at Rushden.

Due to the dangers posed by the many different types of chemicals in use today it is necessary to provide specialised clothing and equipment for the protection of the firefighters. The chemical incident unit carries airlines, clothing and a comprehensive selection of decontamination equipment. It is mobilised to any known chemical incident in the County or on request from the scene of an incident, when chemicals are involved.

The new canteen unit is mobilised to protracted incidents where crews require refreshments whilst still at the scene. This can range from hot drinks for a crew damping down at farm fire, to hot meals and drinks for many crews at major incidents.

Day manning firefighters man the station during the day and at night they provide cover from home, being summoned by means of a pocket alerter.

Should a second pump be required either day or night, then the retained personnel will be summoned, also by means of a pocket alerter.

Fires occur throughout the whole of the day, and on occasions the retained firefighter is called upon during his normal working day.

Several local employers have agreed to release personnel from their jobs to attend fires, a concession which is greatly appreciated by the Fire Authority.

The retained section provides invaluable support to the wholetime establishment in providing Rushden with efficient and reliable fire cover.

Due to the advances in technology since the turn of the century, the firefighter has needed to learn and perfect new skills.

The personnel of Rushden station have to undergo extensive and continued training, not only in firefighting techniques, but also in how to rescue people from road traffic accidents and collapsed buildings, how to deal with chemical and radioactive incidents and many more.

They also have to test and maintain their equipment and the fire hydrants in the station area. They are required to have a knowledge of technical subjects, including building construction, hydraulics, chemistry and fire prevention legislation. Fire prevention inspections account for part of their working day.

The retained firefighter has to attend a series of lectures and practical training sessions before being allowed to man the appliance and ride to fires. Following this initial training, which is given on station,they will be required to attend a course of full time training given by the Brigade training staff and thereafter attend weekly drill sessions and continuation training for the rest of their service.

Advancing technology presents new problems, therefore equipment and training must be commensurate with this trend to    ensure an effective firefighting and rescue force.

Architect	Mr. P. Maben
Builders	A. P. Lewis and Sons Marriotts Ltd.
Site Agents	Mr. J. Davis Mr. L. Horner
Clerk of Works	Mr. K. Blissett

click here to see the site before work began

click here to see the building taking shape

click here for pictures of the New Station