Millions need to be spent on fire stations, firemen say

Fire crews at Bardney near Lincoln say their training room is cramped because of recent alterations to the fire station.

The alterations were made because the fire engine could not fit inside the station.

"Our appliance room has had to be extended just to make the appliance fit in the room," said sub-officer Ken Baker.

Cash needed

Some of Lincolnshire's stations were built in the 1950s and are not appropriate for a modern fire service, he said.

"Our training facility has been made smaller because we had to alter the appliance room - and it is now overcrowded."

The training of firefighters in Lincolnshire, which has a high number of retained officers, is often hampered because the buildings are unsuitable.

He said at least 12 fire stations in Lincolnshire need to be replaced - at a cost of at least �750,000 each.

Another dozen fire stations in the county need refurbishment, he said.

The plea for more investment coincides with a new bill introduced by the government that calls for changes to the way the fire service operates.