CUMBRIA Fire and Rescue Service is prioritising the wellbeing of its crews with the introduction of two state-of-the-art welfare units.

The two new vehicles represent a £180,000 investment by the service, and provide a mobile base for crews to use when they are attending a large-scale or protracted incident.

One of the vehicles is based at Cockermouth Fire Station, with the location of the second to be determined within the Westmorland and Furness area, and they can be deployed to any incident countywide where their facilities are required.

They include a kitchen, toilet/shower facilities and changing space for Firefighters on the scene to use.

Ian Seel, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager, said: “Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service is pleased to introduce these two new vehicles to the service.

“They offer a warm, dry and safe space for Firefighters working in an operational environment, supporting their health, safety and wellbeing during a lengthy or challenging incident.”

Mike Johnson, Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, visited Cockermouth Fire Station this week to meet the crew and take a tour of the welfare unit.

Mr Johnson said: “Our Firefighters regularly put their own lives at risk to save others in their communities, so it is only right that we invest in their welfare, especially during large scale incidents that can take place over several hours.

“The addition of these latest new vehicles means that we will soon have three mobile welfare units spread across the county. It is important that we provide our Firefighters with the best resources possible, to help keep Cumbria safe.”

Cockermouth is also recruiting On-Call Firefighters to join its team, and held an open evening this week to provide more information and a tour of the station and vehicles to would-be new recruits.

For more information and to apply to be an On-Call Firefighter, visit https://www.cumbriafire.gov.uk/On-CallRecruitment