HRH Duke of Edinburgh at the official opening of the brand-new Hebburn Tri-Station. The UK's first carbon-neutral tri-station.(Image: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service)

Duke of Edinburgh officially opens new innovative Hebburn tri station

The Duke of Edinburgh honoured the occasion by unveiling a commemorative plaque, marking the completion of the cutting-edge project

by · ChronicleLive

On Wednesday, September 18 His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh officially opened a new innovative emergency services tri station at Hebburn, South Tyneside.

The UK’s first carbon-neutral tri-station – home to Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Northumbria Police, and North East Ambulance Service – has set a new standard for sustainable emergency services infrastructure.

The Duke of Edinburgh honoured the occasion by unveiling a commemorative plaque, marking the completion of this cutting-edge project.

Attendees were treated to a guided tour of the facility, and His Royal Highness greeted staff from all three services based at the brand-new station to celebrate this innovative, community-focused, and collaborative way of working.

Councillor Phil Tye, Chair of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “We were truly honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to our brand-new, state-of-the-art Hebburn Tri-Station and celebrate this momentous occasion in Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s history."

Helen Ray, Chief Executive of North East Ambulance Service, added: “It’s wonderful to see our teams working together in this state-of-the-art building. The station is a fantastic asset to the community and exemplifies the close working relationships we have in the region with our blue-light partners.

Susan Dungworth, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "Police, fire, health - bringing all these services together under one roof is such a positive step for the area, and I'm sure will pave the way for more beneficial co-locations to follow."

The sustainable station is equipped with 345 solar panels capable of generating up to 100% of the energy required to operate the facility. It features multiple electric bike and vehicle charging points, as well as ground source heat pumps that harness heat from deep beneath the station to provide hot water and heating.

Wildflower meadows, a large attenuation pond, bird boxes, bat boxes, and bee and bug hotels have also been added to the cutting-edge project. These additional measures are expected to increase local biodiversity by 10.75%.

More information about the project can be found at: www.twfire.gov.uk

The Duke of Edinburgh was given a guided tour of the facility(Image: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service)
And was greeted staff from all three services based at the brand-new station. Here the Duke can be seen chatting with ambulance crews.(Image: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service)
And Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service staff(Image: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service)
Pictured chatting to officers from Northumbria Police