Prince of Wales opens new Dorchester fire HQ

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Prince  Charles carried out the official opening of Dorset fire service’s new headquarters in Poundbury.

He took the chance to meet a host of representatives from the Dorset Fire Authority and spoke to dignitaries from Dorchester about the new state-of-the-art facility.

 

He apologised for having a bad throat after returning from South America but said he was excited about the new headquarters.

He said: “I’m overjoyed at seeing this fire station built. I saw it three-quarters done so now it is marvellous to see it finally in its full state. The offices seem to house everybody in Dorset.”

The Prince also felt the new building near the Monkey’s Jump roundabout was appropriate for his dream development. He said: “It’s provided something special for Poundbury. When people arrive here they see this as an important gateway to Dorchester".

The Prince also said he was pleased to meet the full and part-time team and said he ‘admired the people who give up their own time to provide the service’.

Chairman of Dorset Fire Authority David Fox welcomed the Prince by joking that being their landlord gave them the incentive to ‘keep the property in order’. He said: “There were moments when some of us feared this would never happen.

But over the next half century this will help to save hundreds of lives.”

The three-storey open plan building accommodates all departments of the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service except the control room, which remains at County Hall until the new control centre opens in Taunton next year.

Chief fire officer Darran Gunter said he was proud to speak to the Prince about the new facility and his staff. He said: “He was very interested in how part-time officers split their time and how they respond to calls when they have their jobs and families. I also spoke to him about getting involved with young people and vulnerable groups. To be up here on his site is fantastic and to have his visit so near to the day we opened was fantastic for the staff and everyone involved with the building. It was a perfect day.”