Boris Johnson donned a firefighter outfit to open London Fire Brigade’s new world-class training facility in Beckton.
The 3,200 sqm indoor centre provides a realistic training environment for firefighters to practice rescue skills used in major incidents.
It includes a “firehouse” which allows crews to train in a wide variety of different fire conditions and a training suite which uses floor to ceiling screens and simultation gaming style software to test command skills in different scenarios.
The opening of the centre, which is provided by Babcock, LFB’s training partner, marks the biggest modernisation of firefighter training in the capital for more than a century.
It replaces the Brigade’s Southwark Training Centre which has been used since 1878.
London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: “I believe that London Fire Brigade is the best fire and rescue service in the world and we now have first class training facilities to match.
“The centres of excellence provided by Babcock radically improve the quality of facilities that are available to us, providing our firefighters and support staff with state-of-the-art, realistic, safe learning environments to hone their skills across the wide-range of disciplines that are required by the modern fire and rescue service.”
Boris Johnson said: “This gold standard facility will help London Fire Brigade to deliver a world class service to Londoners.
“It is part of a multi-million pound modernisation programme to ensure the service and its staff are equipped with the very best kit to respond to the challenges of a growing 21st century city.”
Gordon Reynolds, Babcock Director of Training, added: “We have used expertise from across Babcock, the London Fire Brigade and internationally to develop facilities which are in line with the immediate training needs of the Brigade and flexible enough to accommodate future training requirements including multi-agency training.”
Another world-class training centre run by Babcock is due to open in Park Royal later this year.
Read more: Firefighters in Newham will go on 24-hour strike today
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here