Shepherd Construction began work on the site, in West Hartford, near Cramlington, in July 2009 and this month the company’s construction director, Andrew Constantine, handed over the keys to chief fire officer Brian Hesler and Michael Butcher from managing partner John Laing.

West Hartford is one of five new fire stations built in the past year as part of a £60 million North East Fire and Rescue Authorities (NEFRA) Private Finance Initiative (PFI). The project has received funding from Communities and Local Government, which contributed £42 million in PFI credits to assist in the construction work.

A new community fire station has also been built in Pegswood, near Morpeth, and this building opened for business on 29 June 2010.

Brian Hesler, chief fire officer for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our new headquarters is now fully operational and ready to respond to a full range of incidents and community needs. As with Pegswood, the move has been handled very efficiently thanks to the hard work of our officers and all of the partners involved in the project.”

Councillor Alan Thompson, Northumberland County Council’s executive member for community safety (incorporating Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service), said: “The new headquarters provides vital facilities for fire officers and the community it serves. Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service staff, Shepherd Construction and John Laing are to be congratulated for the completion of this impressive project. The location of each new fire station and the facilities that they provide have been chosen to ensure the fire service is able to offer the best possible response to incidents and emergencies.”