Work begins on firefighter training village

Work has begun on a new emergency services training facility in Tyne and Wear designed to prepare crews for a wide range of real-life incidents.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has broken ground on its new All Hazards Village at its Service Headquarters and Training Centre in Washington.

Gateshead-based Meldrum Construction Services Group Ltd has started a ten-month construction programme, with completion expected in summer 2027.

The purpose-built village will provide realistic residential and commercial environments where firefighters and emergency service partners can develop and maintain operational skills in controlled conditions.

Facilities will include a detached four-bedroom burn house and semi-detached properties featuring simulated hazards across shops, garages, kitchens, living spaces and bedrooms.

The project will also include alterations and refurbishment to the site’s existing Tall Fire Structure, which is used for training exercises including high-rise emergencies and vertical rescues.

Brian Lee, operations director at Meldrum Facilities, said: “The most effective training environments are those that mirror real-world challenges. 

“We’re proud to support projects that push the boundaries of specialist construction whilst helping emergency responders build the skills they need to serve and protect our communities.”

The All Hazards Village will complement existing facilities at the Washington site, including a collapsed structure simulator used by Urban Search and Rescue teams and a decommissioned Nexus Metro train with dedicated rail track for specialist exercises.

Its location will also allow TWFRS to stage integrated training alongside North East Ambulance Service and Northumbria Police, helping emergency services develop their communication and response to complex incidents.

Assistant chief fire officer Dave Preston added: “The All Hazards Village is a key part of our long-term plan to ensure our crews have the modern, realistic training facilities they need to maintain their competence and respond safely to an increasingly complex range of emergencies.

“It reflects the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority’s continued priority and commitment to providing resources that support the safety of firefighters and the wider public.

“This facility will allow our crews to develop the critical skills needed to save lives. 

“By creating a highly realistic training environment, we can accurately replicate the complex risk profile our firefighters face on a daily basis. 

“It ensures our teams are fully prepared for the most demanding real-world challenges, ultimately allowing us to better protect our communities.

“We are very much looking forward to working alongside Meldrum Construction Services Group to deliver this new facility.”

Meldrum is working on the project alongside Identity Consult, Lumsdon Wood Partnership, Napper Architects, Neeco Ltd and Portland Consulting Engineers Ltd.

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