FIRE CREWS from a Reading fire station had to work from a sister station after structural engineers inspected for aerated concrete.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) said it has been carrying out checks on all its buildings following concerns over the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) during constructions.
Four stations were a potential risk, and the service called on experts to have a closer look.
As a result, for two days crews based at Wokingham Road fire station in east Reading worked out of Caversham Road.
The assessments revealed that all four sites are safe for use, however, some specific testing is needed on an internal section of a training tower at Newbury Fire Station. An alternative training facility will be used in the interim.
The news has been welcomed by Cllr Jeff Brooks, chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and a member of West Berkshire council, said: “It was right for the Service to be proactive and act swiftly to ensure the structural integrity of our buildings and protect the safety of our staff.
“The work undertaken has provided us with reassurance that we can continue to operate from the right locations to provide an outstanding service to residents across Berkshire.
“This was highlighted by an improvement to our overall response time during 2022/23, reducing the average time it takes to respond to emergencies by 22 seconds, when compared to a decade ago (2012/13).
“The Fire Authority continues to invest in the estate and equipment to strengthen our capability to respond to communities across Berkshire.”
