On 18^th September 2024, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened a new innovative emergency services tri station at Hebburn, South Tyneside.

The UK’s first carbon-neutral tri-station – home to Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, and North East Ambulance Service – has set a new standard for sustainable emergency services infrastructure.

The Duke of Edinburgh honoured the occasion by unveiling a commemorative plaque, marking the completion of this cutting-edge project.

Attendees were treated to a guided tour of the facility, and His Royal Highness greeted staff from all three services based at the brand-new station to celebrate this innovative, community-focused, and collaborative way of working.

Councillor Phil Tye, Chair of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, said:

“We were truly honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to our brand-new, state-of-the-art Hebburn Tri-Station and celebrate this momentous occasion in Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s history.

“The opening of this combined emergency service facility marks a proud milestone for us.

“This project not only showcases our commitment to fostering collaboration with our blue light colleagues but also highlights our dedication to innovation, reducing our carbon footprint, and becoming a more efficient service that delivers real value to the communities we serve.”

Chief Superintendent Aelfwynn Sampson, Area Commander for South Tyneside at Northumbria Police, said:

“It was a privilege to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to our amazing new tri-station.

“The purpose-built facility will help ensure we can continue to provide the very best service possible to the communities we serve.

“The project also strengthens the well-established collaborations we have with our blue light partners and it has already been great to see the services working side-by-side.”

Helen Ray, Chief Executive of North East Ambulance Service, said:

“It’s wonderful to see our teams working together in this state-of-the-art building.

“The station is a fantastic asset to the community and exemplifies the close working relationships we have in the region with our blue-light partners.

“This will make a huge difference to both the residents of Hebburn and the wider region, demonstrating a firm commitment to the environment and supporting all three services to work with a better understanding of each other’s capabilities to provide safe and responsive care to all.”

Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Police, fire, health – bringing all these services together under one roof is such a positive step for the area, and I’m sure will pave the way for more beneficial co-locations to follow.

“We have to keep evolving and looking at how we can best meet the needs of our local communities and this approach makes perfect sense  – both financially and practically.

“As partners, we have always worked closely and this will allow for further integration of our services to help best support local people and deliver safer streets and stronger communities.”

Designed with a focus on sustainability, partnership and the community, the brand-new combined emergency service facility, located on Campbell Park Road in Hebburn, South Tyneside, officially opened its doors earlier this summer and was developed by a North East contractor, which sourced local materials and regional employees to complete the landmark building.

The sustainable station is equipped with 345 solar panels capable of generating up to 100% of the energy required to operate the facility. It features multiple electric bike and vehicle charging points, as well as ground source heat pumps that harness heat from deep beneath the station to provide hot water and heating.

Wildflower meadows, a large attenuation pond, bird boxes, bat boxes, and bee and bug hotels have also been added to the cutting-edge project. These additional measures are expected to increase local biodiversity by 10.75%.