Fire and Ambulance crews in Penrith have joined forces as North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) relocate to Penrith Community Fire Station.
Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed over 30 emergency ambulance staff after they moved from their former premises on Bridge Lane, to the property on Carleton Avenue to create a Community Fire and Ambulance Station.
The move will allow much closer working between the two emergency services.
Cllr Janet Willis, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Fire and Rescue, said: “I’m delighted NWAS have joined us at Penrith. Our emergency services already have a strong working relationship and this move will allow for even closer collaboration between blue light services and provide more effective and efficient operations.”
Mike Clusker, Station Manager for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I would like to warmly welcome our colleagues from NWAS; we are looking forward to sharing our facilities and working more closely together. I’m sure that being based together under the same roof will create more opportunities for joint training and it can only add value to the service we provide to the communities we serve in North Cumbria and Eden.”
Nick Griggs, Operations Manager for NWAS, said: “Our previous ambulance station is connected to the old fire station and although both buildings have served us well, they are now tired and dated, the new station will provide us with modern, facilities. We already work very closely with our fire and rescue colleagues in Cumbria and this move will only strengthen our relationship.”
