Fire Station Design and Construction Workshop

28/05/2026

Just in case you missed it 👀

🚨 Delegate booking for FSDW 2026 is now open.

Following a sold-out event in 2025, the Fire Station Design & Construction Workshop returns on 12–13 October 2026 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Over two days, the event will bring together estates managers, facilities teams, architects, consultants, contractors, and specialist suppliers from across the fire sector to share practical insight into the planning, design, and delivery of modern fire stations and training facilities.

This year’s programme will include:

➡️ Expert talks
➡️ Case studies
➡️ Q&A sessions
➡️ A suppliers exhibition
➡️ Networking opportunities

The event is designed to encourage practical discussion and knowledge-sharing between fire and rescue services and the wider industry, giving delegates the opportunity to learn from peers, compare approaches, and take away ideas they can apply to their own projects.

If you’re planning to attend, we’d recommend booking early.

Book now via the link in the comments 👇

21/05/2026

🚨 Delegate booking for FSDW 2026 is now open.

Following a sold-out event in 2025, the Fire Station Design & Construction Workshop returns on 12–13 October 2026 at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Over two days, the event will bring together estates managers, facilities teams, architects, consultants, contractors, and specialist suppliers from across the fire sector to share practical insight into the planning, design, and delivery of modern fire stations and training facilities.

This year’s programme will include:

➡️ Expert talks
➡️ Case studies
➡️ Q&A sessions
➡️ A suppliers exhibition
➡️ Networking opportunities

The event is designed to encourage practical discussion and knowledge-sharing between fire and rescue services and the wider industry, giving delegates the opportunity to learn from peers, compare approaches, and take away ideas they can apply to their own projects.

If you’re planning to attend, we’d recommend booking early.

Book now via the link in the comments 👇

18/05/2026

If you’ve been waiting for news on FSDW 2026, keep an eye on our page later this week 👀

07/05/2026

What does “future-ready” actually mean in fire station design?

In the latest issue of Fire Estates Manager, HLM Architects explore how two projects for Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are rethinking what modern blue light buildings can be.

From a centralised support centre in Belfast to the new community fire station in Omagh, the focus goes far beyond just operational response.

These projects combine sustainability, firefighter wellbeing, operational efficiency, and community engagement into a single approach.

One of the most interesting takeaways is how closely the design teams worked with the service throughout the process, ensuring that every element was aligned with the service’s needs and values.

To read the full article, see the link in the comments 👇

24/04/2026

How do you deliver a future-ready fire station on a site with limited external land to expand?

The new Howden Fire Station project, featured in the latest issue of Fire Estates Manager, is a great example of how constraints can drive smarter, more considered design.

The new on-call station has been fully redesigned around the latest guidance on contaminants, equality and dignity, whilst incorporating a number of innovative internal design features to futureproof its effectiveness.

One standout solution is the flexible changing area, designed to adapt to shifting crew demographics and providing such flexibility it will help avoid the need for costly and disruptive remodelling in the future.

To read the full story, see the link in the comments 👇

Humberside Fire & Rescue Service

16/04/2026

What does six years of sustained estate transformation actually look like in practice?

In the latest issue of Fire Estates Manager, Arron Hedges, Head of Property & Facilities at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, shares how the service has reshaped its estate across 60+ sites, creating a portfolio that is safer, more inclusive, more sustainable, and better aligned to the needs of a modern fire and rescue service.

At the centre of this work is a clear strategy built around asset data, consistent design principles, and long-term planning.

Key themes include:

➡️ Using verified asset data to move from reactive fixes to proactive investment
➡️ Applying consistent design principles across new builds, refurbishments, and upgrades
➡️ Embedding contamination control, inclusivity, and wellbeing into station design
➡️ Delivering targeted capital programmes aligned to operational risk and value
➡️ Building in-house capability and a culture that supports long-term change

It’s a strong example of what happens when estate strategy is properly aligned with operational outcomes.

And importantly, it shows that transformation at this scale isn’t about one-off projects. It’s about consistency, governance, and better long-term decision-making .

To read the full article, see the link in the comments 👇

07/04/2026

What if every fire station started from the same proven blueprint?

In the latest issue of Fire Estates Manager, Tom Burke, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Clare County Council, explores Ireland’s approach to fire station template design, and what it means for consistency, efficiency, and long-term estate planning.

Rather than starting from scratch on every project, the guidance sets out a clear, standardised framework for station design. From site selection and core functional layouts through to zoning, welfare provision, and future expansion, it creates a consistent starting point that can be adapted to local requirements.

It also reinforces some of the fundamentals of modern station design:

✅ Clear zoning to support contamination control
✅ Logical layouts that prioritise operational flow
✅ Defined accommodation standards across key spaces
✅ Scalable designs, from retained stations to full headquarters

The result is a more joined-up approach to estate development, reducing design risk, improving efficiency, and supporting better outcomes.

As more services look to balance cost, consistency, and performance, the role of standardisation is becoming harder to ignore.

To read the full article, see the link in the comments 👇

https://edition.pagesuite.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pnum=36&edid=c24f194d-f55e-4ac4-a821-9cf11a5fde18&isshared=true

01/04/2026

🚀 The April 2026 edition of Fire Estates Manager is now live.

This issue brings together a mix of strategic thinking and practical insight for those responsible for managing and developing fire and rescue estates.

Inside, you’ll find coverage of:

➡️ Long-term asset management and estate planning
➡️ Real examples of transformation across fire service estates
➡️ A collaborative new build case study at Howden Fire Station
➡️ International perspectives on fire station design and standardisation

The issue reflects the challenges services are dealing with right now and the approaches being used to tackle them.

A useful read for anyone involved in estate strategy, capital projects, or operational infrastructure.

To download your copy, see the link in the comments 👇

26/03/2026

Fire service estates are under increasing pressure to deliver more with less.

Which makes understanding the true condition of your facilities essential.

At Essex County Fire and Rescue Service this sits at the core of their Future Estate Strategy. Rather than relying on assumptions, they’ve taken a data-led approach, carrying out detailed condition surveys across their estate to assess risk, prioritise investment, and ensure every facility remains safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.

It’s a clear example of how better information leads to better decisions, particularly when budgets are tight and demands continue to grow.

To read more about their approach, see the link in the comments 👇

17/03/2026

High-quality training environments are a critical part of modern fire service infrastructure.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s Training and Development Academy in Aintree has quickly become recognised as one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the UK. Designed to support realistic operational training, the academy brings together a wide range of specialist training environments within a single purpose-built facility.

A recent article from Fire Estates Manager looks at how the project was delivered and the collaborative approach that helped turn the vision for the academy into reality.

To read the full story, see the link in the comments 👇