Kent urban search and rescue team gets new base

The Urban Search and Rescue Building cost £1.4m to build.

A new base has been opened in Kent for the fire service's urban search and rescue team (USRT).

Firefighters who recently returned from helping victims of the Haiti earthquake helped open the £1.4m building in Loose Road, Maidstone.

The building will be a centre for teaching and training as well as a base for staff and their equipment.

Kent's USRT team is one of 20 funded by the government to respond to major incidents locally and internationally.

The team recently travelled to Haiti following the earthquake and were recognised after removing rubble for seven hours to rescue an elderly man.

The Urban Search and Rescue Team rescued a man from rubble in Haiti

Chairman Bryan Cope, of Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman said: "The development of the USAR Centre is a positive step both for the people of Kent and indeed on a regional and national basis.

"The role of the fire and rescue service is constantly evolving and the new facility puts KFRS in the best position to provide an effective response to the many challenges our firefighters may face."

Charlie Hendry, chief fire officer, said: "The tragic events witnessed abroad in Haiti and Indonesia recently, the devastation caused by flooding in Cumbria, together with terrorist attacks in New York and London, have provided learning opportunities for the fire and rescue services across the globe.

"Today we are able to demonstrate the capability we now have in the UK fire and rescue service to deal with these major incidents."

The team had previously been based at Maidstone fire station.