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Gateshead West Community Fire Station

Gateshead West Station 14
Gateshead West Station

Our Station

Built in the 1970’s, Gateshead West Community Fire Station (formerly Chopwell Community Fire Station) is located on Derwent Street, Chopwell on the western extreme of the Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council area. It covers Chopwell and Rowlands Gill council Wards. 

The station has one fire appliance and is staffed by 12 part time firefighters. They primarily respond to emergencies and operate a rota system of call to duty from the immediate area by pocket alerter.The time spent duty at the station is mainly devoted to training. 

Community Safety activities that are primarily aimed at preventing fires and deaths and injuries in fires.  Work is also undertaken in the Chopwell area; this involves the use of staff from the neighbouring Swalwell Fire Station. Alternative arrangements are being examined that could provide opportunities for the staff to deliver community safety work to the wider community of Chopwell and High Spen, whilst continuing to provide fire cover. 

The station includes a Community Safety Centre and Young Fire-fighters Association (YFA). The Community Safety Centre has recently been added to the existing station, it has modern IT presentation capabilities, a meeting room with a computer suite, including access to the Internet, for further educational learning. This entire facility, which has been designed to be fully accessible and hence, enable usage by all of our visitors, is integrated within a fully functional fire station.

The Area

The geographical area served by Gateshead West Community Fire Station consists of the former mining village of Chopwell and part of the neighbouring village of High Spen. The area is of primarily rural and some agricultural land. There are also large areas of forestry.  

Based on the 2001 Census, The estimated population is approximately 5,348 persons, who are predominantly from Anglo-Saxon background (97%) with a relatively small ethnic group (3%). There are 2,464 dwellings within the Station area with approximately: - 

  • 31.5% Owner Occupied
  • 35.4% Mortgaged
  • 21.6% Local Authority Rented
  • 7.8% Privately Rented
  • 0.8% Housing Association Rented

 

Single parent families occupy 7.6% of dwellings, with 18.2% single pensioner households. 

Levels of unemployment across this area vary from 11.3% for males and 5.7% for females. These figures reflect the socio-economic groups residing within individual neighbourhoods, which can be linked to the risk of dwelling fires occurring within the area. This is illustrated in the above map where the red 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 Firefighter Association

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.

YFA Application Form
YFA Application Form - [162 KB] Application Form and Information for the Young Firefighters Association.

Contact Us 

Address 

Gateshead West Community Fire Station
Derwent Street
Chopwell
Tyne and Wear
NE17 7HY 

Telephone

 +44 (0)191 444 1460

 

e-Mail

gateshead.west@twfire.gov.uk

Gateshead West Community Fire Station - Map and Directions
Gateshead West Community Fire Station - Map and Directions - [494 KB] Contact details, map and directions for Gateshead West Community Fire Station, Chopwell.
Home Risk Assessment
Home Safety Check

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