WHEN Accrington's new state-of-the-art fire station opens in April it will signal a new approach to fire safety.

The super- modern facility comes with a £1.7 million price tag, and one of the main changes from traditional fire stations will be its accessibility to the public.

And, as Gail Atkinson found out, a purpose built gym, male and female shower blocks and a relaxation room should ensure the front-line officers are in tip-top condition when the call comes...

THERE was a time when fire stations were built to last for generations.

Accrington's current station was built in the 1920s but Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service bosses say the pace of change in communities means that it is no longer possible to plan that far ahead.

According to Eastern Division's area commander Pete Aspden, the shelf life of a modern fire station is no longer than 20 years.

For now residents in Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Darwen and Blackburn, will be served from the new base on Hyndburn Road, which should be finished this month.

In a bid to spread the firefighting message, community groups and organisations will be actively encouraged to use the purpose-built community room, which holds 50 people.

Pete O'Brien, assistant chief officer for the division, said: "It's different to what we have done in the past, and we are trying to make this station accessible to people in Hyndburn.

"In the past they have been there for people to work and live, but we are trying to get people to come to us instead of us coming to them.

"Not just from a point of view of fire education but if community groups want to use the facilities for meetings and youth clubs.

"It benefits us because kids are coming to the station, meeting fire officers and we can educate them, and they are getting access to good facilities they wouldn't otherwise have."

Commander Aspden said: "This is a new approach for us. We will utilise it and try to get our message across and encourage a wider appreciation of what the fire service is about.

"This isn't a gesture. It's us taking a conscious decision that we want to make our fire station more available and welcoming. In future fire stations, community access will be a key principle."

As well as the community room there is a quiet room where officers can unwind, and most areas of the building are fitted with sprinklers, a tool officers are keen to see installed in homes around the division.

Mr O'Brien said: "What we are trying to do is encourage the wider use of sprinklers in domestic property because we believe they are an opportunity to make premises safer.

"They have been used for some years in commercial premises but it's only in recent years they have been installed in houses. They are not obtrusive and not expensive, particularly if they are fitted at build stage.

"The degree of safety they offer is completely unparalleled."

A lot of thought has gone into the gym equipment, to ensure staff build up the right kind of stamina for the job.

"Traditionally our gyms have developed from weights. The equipment going in here is designed to aid the fitness we are looking for from our staff," said Mr O'Brien..

Another time-saving, and perhaps life-saving device is the Green Wave traffic control system, which allows firefighters to control the traffic flow at the touch of a button.

"Whichever way we choose to go out the lights will turn green. If you can get the traffic moving in front of you it makes it easier," said Commander Aspden.

The service is also looking for new part-time officers to complement the 75 uniformed officers and three non-uniformed staff who will be based at the station.

Anyone who lives within four minutes of the station can apply by calling 01254 55236.

The existing fire building and land, on Manchester Road, is owned by the fire service and will probably be sold. although no action has been taken yet.