The Johannesburg (South Africa) Development Agency (JDA) is implementing a new fire station with the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Services (EMS) in Marshalltown.

The JDA started the new Central Fire Station project in May 2021 to set the standard for future fire stations.

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The new Central Fire Station is a modern space and is intended to cater for the current and envisaged demands for the community in the inner city of Johannesburg. It will provide a speedy response to fire or rescue incidents that occur in the inner city’s high-rise buildings.

Construction is at 30% completion and, once completed, the facility will have a contemporary design, incorporating soft and hard roofs, with durable clay face brick and minimal plastered feature walls.

The Firefighters/EMT crews for Central Fire Station are currently housed at Fairview Fire Station to ensure that there is no disruption of service for inner city residents.

The building is one level, except for a few areas that extend to the first floor, and a six-story training tower. The facility will be low-maintenance and sustainable, and a landmark of modern design to the surrounding community.

Other features of the fire station include:

• a BE Safe center – (Basic Emergency Safety and Fire Education Centre intended to be used as a tool in the education regarding fire safety and general safety principles)

• an administration block and ablution facilities

• bays for fire trucks

• a lifting tank for training how to draft water

• a swimming pool

• recreational area for the staff with braai facilities

• car parking

• a gymnasium

• a six-story training tower located independently outside the main building and will serve as a beacon for the fire station and training academy.

“Some of the project milestones achieved for this facility, since the start of construction, include the relocation of vehicle pound, township establishment approval, the completion of the lifting tank and the completion of the attenuation pond,” said Cllr Belinda Echeozonjoku, the MMC for Development Planning.

The new central fire station will provide access to employment opportunities for local emerging contractors, sourced from the local and adjacent communities in Johannesburg.

A total of nine Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are currently employed on the project. The project is on track to reach the 30% local spend as per the City’s policies. The JDA has also made use of an independent SMME mentor to assist, develop and mentor the SMMEs, with the aim of assisting with Construction Industry Development Board upgrades upon completion of the project.