Thirteen unsafe Cumbria fire training towers withdrawn from use

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 12:37 · Archive

Thirteen fire service training towers across Cumbria have been withdrawn after structural assessments found them unsafe.

Thirteen fire service training towers across Cumbria have been taken out of use after structural assessments found them unsafe, according to a report to be presented to the Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting on 12 October. Structural inspections revealed that all non-private finance initiative training towers required remedial work, with 13 identified as structurally unsafe and temporarily withdrawn from operational use.

Cumbria fire service operates 33 training towers across the county, which are used to prepare firefighters for a range of emergency incidents. A strategic review concluded that the service should move away from maintaining a large number of ageing towers and instead invest in a smaller number of modern, multi-purpose facilities capable of supporting more realistic training scenarios.

The Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has secured £1.4 million in government funding for a programme of demolition, repairs and replacements. The money must be spent by March 2027. Work to demolish redundant towers is due to begin this month, while repairs to retained masonry and steel towers will follow later in the year.

Plans are being developed for new enhanced training facilities designed to support breathing apparatus, firefighting, working-at-height and confined-space training. Officials say the programme will improve firefighter safety, reduce long-term maintenance costs and provide more modern training environments that better reflect current and emerging risks.

The report did not identify which fire stations are affected by the closures.

How it is being reported

• 13 Cumbria fire training towers deemed unsafe as £1.4m upgrade programme launchedThirteen fire service training towers across Cumbria have been taken out of use after structural assessments found they were unsafe, according to a new report.News & Star · 10 Oct, 12:20
• 13 Cumbria fire training towers deemed unsafe as £1.4m upgrade programme launchedThirteen fire service training towers across Cumbria have been taken out of use after structural assessments found they were unsafe, according to a new report.Westmorland Gazette · 10 Oct, 12:20
• 13 Cumbria fire training towers deemed unsafe as £1.4m upgrade programme launchedThirteen fire service training towers across Cumbria have been taken out of use after structural assessments found they were unsafe, according to a new report.Whitehaven News · 10 Oct, 12:20
• 13 Cumbria fire training towers deemed unsafe as £1.4m upgrade programme launchedThirteen fire service training towers across Cumbria have been taken out of use after structural assessments found they were unsafe, according to a new report.NW Evening Mail · 10 Oct, 12:20

In this story: Cumbria · Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Panel · Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

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