Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service unveils plans for £4m state-of-the-art breathing apparatus school

Plans to deliver a state-of-the-art breathing apparatus (BA) training school in Chorley, Lancashire, have been unveiled by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. 

The new breathing apparatus school will provide the latest facilities and training to the fire fighters of Lancashire. The school has been designed as a self-contained and self-sufficient facility with a network of classroom and workshop areas where delegates will learn how to prepare, operate and service compressed air breathing apparatus. Facilities include the provision of showers and changing spaces along with an innovative dirty-to-clean layout designed to minimise the spread of, and exposure to, contaminants during the removal of equipment and changing out of personal protective equipment.

Simon Fryer, head of training and operational review, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The new Breathing Apparatus School has been designed in partnership with ISG as a state-of-the-art facility, which will serve us well into the future. It is a significant step forwards in our continuous focus on the health, safety and welfare of our staff.”

Work to transform the existing site on West Way, Euxton, Chorley, began at the end of last year, with ISG chosen to deliver the scheme through the Procure Partnerships North West Framework. 
This new facility is an extension to the existing fleet garage. It will be constructed using a steel frame and the completed building will target a BREEAM “Very Good” environmental performance rating and a ‘Zero Carbon’ designation for regulated energy use. 

Neil Walker, ISG’s framework director, commented: “We are passionate about our role in the provision of world-class blue light facilities that directly support our emergency service personnel in carrying out their life saving work in our communities. This project for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service represents a major investment in key infrastructure to support advanced training and create the latest generation of facilities that will serve communities for many years to come.”

Faye Dolan, national framework manager, Procure Partnerships, commented: “We are proud to have supported Lancashire Fire and Rescue to appoint ISG to deliver the Breathing Apparatus School – such facility will provide an enhanced training experience for the fire service.”

In addition to the construction of the extension, ISG will also deliver refurbishments within the existing 10-bay fleet building. The project is expected to complete by the end of the year.