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Birtley Community Fire Station

Birtley Community Fire Station
Birtley Community Fire Station

Our Station

Built in 1992, Birtley Community Fire Station is located on Durham Road, Birtley on the southern extreme of the Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council area. It covers the Birtley Ward and covers parts of the Lamesley, Chowdene, Lobley Hill and Bensham Wards. The station also covers parts of the Washington East and Washington West Ward areas both of which are part of the City of Sunderland Council area. 

The staff are the main asset and, in addition to responding to emergencies, undertake a range of Community Safety (CS) activities that are primarily aimed at preventing fires and deaths and injuries from fires. 

The station includes a Community Safety Centre which houses an Arson Task Force (ATF- a collaboration between Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police personnel) and a Young Fire-fighters Association (YFA). A district CS department supports station personnel in the delivery of CS to the local community. 

The completion of the new build fire station in Dryden Road, Gateshead will allow the ATF and the YFA to relocate to purpose build facilities within this station. This will allow the existing space, that is occupied by the ATF, to be converted into a CS Community Room that will be available for public use. The newly appointed Gateshead District CS Watch Manager will be located at this facility.

The Area

The geographical area served by Birtley Community Fire Station, varies greatly from relatively affluent residential to light and heavy industrial use. It includes parts of the Team Valley Trading Estate and relatively large tracts of rural land.  

The population, based on the 2001 Census, is 26,181 persons who are predominantly from Anglo-Saxon background (97%) with a relatively small ethnic group (3%). There are 11,785 dwellings within the Station area with approximately: - 

  • 57.4% Owner Occupied
  • 32.8% Local Authority Rented
  • 2.7% Privately Rented
  • 5.2% Housing Association Rented 
     

Single parent families occupy 7.1% of dwelling, with 16.9% single pensioner households. 28.5% of dwellings are households that have 3 or more dependant children. 

Levels of unemployment in this area vary from 8.9% for males and 4.4% for females residing within the station area are unemployed. These figures reflect the socio-economic groups residing within the individual neighbourhoods which can be linked to the risk of dwelling fires occurring within the area. This is illustrated in the above map ( the red area indicates areas where the risk of having a dwelling fire is well above average, orange is above average, yellow is average, blue is below average and green is well below average). 

Young Firefighter Association - hose 1
Young Firefighters in Action

Introduction

In September 1992, Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Service, in partnership with the Newcastle City Challenge, opened its first branch of the Young Firefighters Association at the West Road Fire Station.  The primary strategic objective was to strengthen the social and community infrastructure, which after the inner city disturbance had become a little fragile. 

Young people who were accepted into the organisation came from a wide and varied background. Those who were at risk of offending, non-attendees at school, as well as those who academically were doing well and who were expected to progress into further education. This fine balance of character and personality helped to set the foundations of a successful Branch.


What We Offer

During the meetings the Young Firefighters are given practical and theoretical instructions on Fire Service related subjects. The training is of a comparable standard to that of operational firefighters taking into account age, height and weight differences. 

In addition to the weekly meetings, Young Firefighters are also involved in:

  • attending Fire Service ceremonial occasions

  • displaying their skills on open days and summer fairs, attending drill comps.

  • High Sheriff award scheme

  • public relations in the community

  • National and International Camps (Croatia, Finland, Holland, France)

Young Firefighter Association - Young Firefighter
Young Firefighters

Aims and Objectives 

  • To enable young people aged between 13 and 17 to join a uniformed organisation associated with the Fire Service.

  • To aid personal development mentally, physically and socially.

  • To help develop leadership qualities and the ability to try new experiences.

  • To help develop team skills with mutual support.

 

Contact Us 

Address 

Birtley Community Fire Station
Durham Road
Birtley
Tyne and Wear
DH3 1LU

 

Telephone 

+44 (0)191 444 1880 

e-Mail

birtley@twfire.gov.uk 

Home Risk Assessment

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is committed to achieving it's Vision of 'Creating the Safest Community' by reducing the risk of fire in domestic premises through Home Safety Checks.  

Firefighters can visit your home, where you may be at the greatest risk from fire, and offer simple advice on Fire Safety, tailored specifically to your needs. We can also, where necessary fit free smoke detectors, and in certain cases, provide a deep fat fryer to replace a conventional chip pan. 

We are currently targeting our resources those households most at risk, but will attend to you as soon as possible if you request this service. 

Follow the link for further information on the assessment process and how to request a Home Safety Check.