Newtownards Fire Station Completes £1m Refurbishment
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has completed a £1 million refurbishment of Newtownards Fire Station, delivering upgraded facilities designed to support firefighter welfare, operational capability and sustainability.
Originally constructed in the early 1950s, Newtownards Fire Station has served the local community for more than seven decades. The recently completed refurbishment represents a significant investment in the station and its future, modernising the building to better meet the requirements of a contemporary Fire & Rescue Service.
The refurbishment was successfully completed in April 2026, providing crews with improved working and welfare facilities while ensuring the station is better equipped to support emergency response operations for years to come.
Modernising a Fire Station Built in the 1950s
The refurbishment has transformed key areas of Newtownards Fire Station while retaining its important role within the local community.
As fire and rescue operations continue to evolve, the buildings and facilities supporting firefighters must also adapt. The improvements at Newtownards are intended to provide a safer, more effective and more sustainable working environment for crews operating from the station.
The completed works include improved welfare facilities, a bespoke kit room and fully renewed mechanical and electrical systems.
These upgrades provide practical improvements for firefighters while also bringing essential building infrastructure up to modern standards.
Improved Firefighter Welfare and Facilities
Firefighter welfare has been a key consideration in the refurbishment.
Modern fire stations need to provide more than operational response facilities. Appropriate welfare, changing and equipment areas are increasingly important in supporting crews before, during and after emergency response.
The new bespoke kit room provides a dedicated facility for firefighter equipment, while the upgraded welfare areas create improved spaces for personnel based at Newtownards.
The renewal of the station’s mechanical and electrical systems also forms an important part of the project, supporting the building’s long-term functionality and reliability.
Solar Panels Support Sustainability
Sustainability has also been incorporated into the station’s refurbishment.
As part of the improvements, solar panels have been installed at Newtownards Fire Station, helping NIFRS support its wider sustainability objectives.
The inclusion of renewable energy technology demonstrates how refurbishment projects can provide an opportunity to improve the environmental performance of existing fire station buildings while also upgrading facilities for the people who use them.
For established fire stations, incorporating sustainability measures alongside essential modernisation can help extend the useful life of existing infrastructure and reduce the need for more extensive redevelopment.
£1m Investment in Local Fire & Rescue Infrastructure
The £1 million investment reflects the importance of maintaining suitable infrastructure for emergency response services.
Newtownards Fire Station has played a vital role in supporting emergency response in the local community since its construction more than 70 years ago. The completed refurbishment ensures the building is better positioned to continue serving firefighters and the community into the future.
NIFRS Southern Area Commander Dermot Rooney described the project as a significant investment in both people and infrastructure.
He said:
“The completion of this £1m refurbishment at Newtownards Fire Station is a significant investment in both our people and our infrastructure. After over 70 years of service, these upgrades will ensure the Station remains effective for decades.”
Rooney added that NIFRS is committed to providing crews with safe and modern working environments, describing the completed work as a transformation that reflects the standards and ambition of the service.
He also highlighted the importance of Newtownards Fire Station to local emergency response and thanked everyone involved in the project, as well as the local community, for its continued support.
Supporting the Future of Newtownards Fire Station
The refurbishment demonstrates the value of investing in existing fire station infrastructure to ensure it continues to meet changing operational and workforce requirements.
From improved welfare facilities and dedicated equipment storage to renewed building systems and solar energy generation, the project brings together several elements that are increasingly important to modern fire station design and management.
With the refurbishment completed in April 2026, Newtownards Fire Station now has upgraded facilities intended to support its crews and emergency response role for many years to come.
The project also highlights the wider importance of considering firefighter welfare, operational effectiveness, building performance and sustainability together when modernising established fire and rescue facilities.
For the local community, the £1m investment provides a modernised fire station capable of supporting the firefighters who continue to provide an essential emergency response service across the area.
For more information please visit Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service website.