Local news, Working life | In place in new premises on the ground floor: – Things are really in order here

– There are still a few things to do before absolutely everything is ready, but most of it is finished and in use. Things are really in order here, smiles Nils Henrik Nilsen from Grenland fire and rescue in Bamble.

Together with 20 permanent crews, who in four teams of five in each team man the fire emergency from the station 24 hours a day, he has got a completely new working day in the new station. In addition, there is space for “visitors” from the administration in Grenland fire and rescue, with offices and the necessary facilities.

– So far, there have been people from the management here almost at all times. There are a lot of people at the station every single day, says Nilsen.

The new fire station in Bamble houses many functions that are common to all the fire stations Grenland fire and rescue has. Hose washing, pressure testing, courses and the training function, the sea-based services, chemical protection and emergency storage will be located at Bunes. In addition, the new building will contain all digital aids, which means that it will be a natural place for staff in the event of serious incidents. It will be at everything from search operations to events such as Full City, as examples.

Large station

The new fire station in Grasmyrbakken has the status of a regional station, and it occupies just over 4,000 square meters.

– Space has been set aside for two other actors in the premises as well. The Norwegian Coastal Agency and the regional environmental emergency department (IUA Telemark) rent 200 square meters for their equipment. The civil defense also has space for a vehicle and equipment here with us, says Nilsen.

The station in Bamble will cover the population of South Greenland, which amounts to around 23,500 inhabitants.

The new fire station is ready for its official opening – here are the pictures showing what it’s like inside

Special tasks

The new station will house some special equipment and serve other stations with services and storage capacity. Examples of this are laundry and pressure testing of fire hoses, smoke prevention workshop and central warehouse for washing and storing protective clothing.

– The special washer for hose washing has been installed, but not yet fully rigged for use. It will come very soon, says Nilsen and shows off the huge washer that will ensure clean and safe water heaters.

The new station will also store some regional forest fire equipment for forest fire protection, in addition to land-based chemical protection. The main warehouse for regional preparedness materials for Telemark’s preparedness against acute pollution at sea will now be located at Bamble. Proximity to the sea and specially trained crews in environmental preparedness are important for the region, something they experienced after the Full City action.

Feel fine

The crews have found very good conditions at the new station. There are seven “bedrooms” on the station, where each member of the crew has their own bedding to use. The bedrooms have their own bathroom with toilet. There is a large and delicate canteen, with two lounges right next to it.

– We had to have two living rooms with a TV in each. Then the football can go on one, while those who want to watch something else can take the good seats in the other, smiles Nilsen.

– This is exactly as it should be. Good for the football mad, and good for the rest of us, said Tor Erik Aasgrav, Frode Aakre and Kenneth H. Jørgensen, who were three of five in the work team on duty on Tuesday morning.

There are also training rooms, a gymnasium, two roof terraces and offices for the security forces in the new station. There is a garage for six large emergency vehicles, including a ladder truck. The civil defense has room for a large car in the garage. There is a “workshop” with a lifting platform and washing facilities for the smaller cars. There is a garage for the sweeping department, which also has space in the new station. Own wash hall for the large vehicles and cloakroom facilities with a clean zone and an unclean zone, in addition to everything related to health-preventive washing and cleaning in accordance with the HSE regulations.

– We lack nothing here. We have a good time here, says Nilsen.