June 15, 2018 3.52 pm This story is over 69 months old

MP opens Sleaford joint fire and ambulance station

The facility is going “to make a huge difference”
From left: Chief Fire Officer Nick Borrill, Chief Executive of EMAS Richard Henderson, Sleaford and North Hykeham MP Dr Caroline Johnson and Executive Councillor for Emergency Services at Lincolnshire County Council, Councillor Nick Worth. Photo: LCC

MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham Caroline Johnson cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening of a new fire and ambulance station in Sleaford.

As previously reported, the new £6 million joint HQ on Eastgate will be home to around 38 East Midlands Ambulance Service ambulance clinicians, 24 fire staff and the county’s Urban and Search Rescue team.

The Red Cross will also be relocating one of its Emergency Response support teams and vehicles to Sleaford, while a range of Lincoln County Council services will also be based on site.

MP Dr Caroline Johnson cuts the ceremonial cake to mark the opening of the new joint facility. Photo: LCC

Caroline Johnson said: “It is a huge, huge honour and privilege to come and wield these scissors and open such a fantastic new facility that I know is going to make a huge difference to how you deliver services to people of Sleaford and the surrounding area.

“Ultimately it will save lives and make people’s lives much, much better for the fact that you are able to get to them quicker and work together better going forwards.”

Executive councillor for emergency services at Lincolnshire County Council, councillor Nick Worth, added: “All of the old facilities were dated and would have required considerable investment to be modernised. This new building is excellent, and purpose-built for the needs of the crews.

“Co-locating services in this way helps us save money and allows us to build a better understanding of different ways of working and responding together with ambulance crews.”

Fire and Ambulance staff have moved into to the new shared building at Sleaford. Photo: LCC