£1.3 million refurbishment of Grantham fire station completed, with new training facility added paying tribute to former firefighter Pete Scarlett

Refurbishment work has been completed at Grantham fire station, with a new training facility added in memory of a former firefighter.

Following an investment of £1.3 million from Lincolnshire County Council, the fire station in Harlaxton Road has been modernised, with a brand new training complex and breathing apparatus workshop added.

The training complex has been opened and named in memory of former crew manager at Grantham, Pete Scarlett, who died unexpectedly in July 2020.

An opening event was held yesterday (Tuesday) to mark the occasion.

Councillor Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: “We continue to invest in the safety and wellbeing of our firefighters, who respond to emergencies and keep our communities safe.

“On top of new equipment and vehicles, we have a programme of works at our fire stations to ensure firefighters have the best facilities for training and personal development.

“The new training facilities will ensure realistic scenarios for the crews who are based here to practice in, and also ensure that a well-respected former colleague will not be forgotten.”

Pete Scarlett joined Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue as an on call firefighter at Grantham in 1994.

He worked in the Operational Support Department as a hydrant technician from 2001 and then became wholetime crew manager at Grantham in 2008.

Pete’s widow Jackie unveiled the plaque on the training tower.

Chief fire officer for Lincolnshire, Mark Baxter, said: “The fire station at Grantham is home to both on call and wholetime firefighters – who all train to the same high standards.

“Better facilities within the station and more extensive training buildings will help them in all aspects of this varied job.”

Councillor Richard Butroid, executive councillor for corporate property at the county council, said: “This has been a great piece of partnership working between fire and rescue staff and crews, the county council’s property team and the contractors.

“Having a thorough understanding of what was needed here to make major improvements was key, and this has been carried forward in all aspects of the project.”