Residents can step inside Southend Fire Station on Saturday, 22 August when Essex County Fire and Rescue Service opens the Sutton Road site to the public. The free event runs from 10am until 4pm and offers a chance to meet the crew, explore the station, and see how firefighters work to keep the community safe.
The station, a 24/7 wholetime base, will welcome visitors for activities suited to all ages. Firefighters permanently stationed at the site attend emergencies across the city and surrounding areas, from road accidents and floods to rescues and chemical spills. They also run home fire safety checks and work with schools and businesses throughout the year.
The open day forms part of a summer programme of events across Essex. The service runs 50 fire stations covering 1,338 square miles and a population of more than 1.7 million. A second open day takes place on the same date at Wethersfield Fire Station. Southend’s wholetime crew work a 42-hour week on a pattern of two day shifts, two night shifts, and four days off, with their days spent checking equipment, visiting homes to share fire prevention advice, and engaging with schools and businesses.
The station sits on Sutton Road, postcode SS2 5PX, and has served the city as a full-time base for crews responding around the clock.
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