Resource Centre Complete

Construction of Wrexham’s brand new Ambulance and Fire Services Resource Centre (AFSRC) has been completed.

The Welsh Ambulance Service and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service have jointly invested more than £15 million in the purposebuilt facility, which includes an eight-bay fire station, a six-bay ambulance station and top-of-the-range training facilities.

The centre on Croesnewydd Road will replace the existing fire station on Bradley Road in Wrexham, and the existing ambulance stations in Chirk and Wrexham. Staff will begin to operate out of the AFSRC in April once kit and furniture has been moved in.

Sonia Thompson, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Head of Operations in North Wales, said: “This project has been years in the pipeline, so we’re thrilled that the building is now complete. “The AFSRC means crews finally get the facilities they deserve and ultimately it will mean a better service for the people of Wrexham and Gary Brandrick, Senior Professional and Service Standards Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We’re delighted that this exciting facility has been completed - the AFSRC will deliver both improved facilities for our staff and a better service for the public in the area.”

The ambulance accommodation incorporates a fleet workshop, make ready facility, a six bay garage, offices for fleet staff and management, debrief room and a deployment base for response staff. Crews will start their shift at the AFSRC then will move to strategically located deployment points across Wrexham and Chirk, where the Trust data predicts the next 999 call will come from. Newly-recruited fleet assistants will clean vehicles after use, enabling clinicians to spend more time face-to-face with patients delivering better care for the area.

The fire accommodation includes a local community safety office, an eight bay garage, gymnasium, state-of-the-art training house and drill tower with a road traffic collision training area. Facilities like the rest room, dining room, communal kitchen, main office, locker room, meeting and training rooms will be shared by both services.