Fire station reopens after two year refurbishment

News imageZac Sherratt/BBC The new Lingfield fire station. A fire engine can be seen in the new entrance, which has 'Lingfield Fire Station' at the top. There are balloons either side of the entrance and an ice cream van outside.Zac Sherratt/BBC
Lingfield Fire Station now has a second vehicle bay, better facilities to handle contaminants, and a new gym

The chief fire officer for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it is "really special" to reopen Lingfield Fire Station after a two-year revamp.

A delayed refurbishment project which began in the summer of 2024 saw Lingfield's crew and vehicles relocated to Oxted.

They are now back at base in Lingfield, able to benefit from a new station which has a second vehicle bay, better facilities to handle contaminants, and a new gym.

Dan Quin said the team at this station, who "often have full time jobs and do on-call when we need them", deserve these facilities.

News imageZac Sherratt/BBC Dan Quin, chief fire officer for the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. Dan is wearing a white shirt and is stood in front of a fire engine.Zac Sherratt/BBC
Dan Quin, SFRS chief fire officer, said it is "really special" to reopen the station

The new vehicle bay allows for a "multi-role vehicle" with potential wildfire capability, something which Quin said is important in Surrey.

"This is prime season for wildfires in Surrey; Surrey is known as being a wildfire county. We plan for it, we prepare for it, we equip ourselves for it," he said.

Similar refurbishment projects for Chobham and Reigate's buildings remain ongoing, with the former only starting in May after a lengthy delay.

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