Nuttlar fire station: New outdoor facilities complete remodelling and extension

Behind the extension, there are now 22 paved parking spaces for firefighters' vehicles. Importantly, the parking spaces can be reached without having to cross the exit at the vehicle hall - a plus in terms of safety as well as an advantage when every minute counts in an emergency.

Dipl.-Ing. Hubertus Kreis from the building and environmental department of the municipality of Bestwig is particularly pleased that the old trees behind the building could largely be preserved - only one tree had to be removed for the parking spaces: "The other trees could be integrated into the facility and now provide sun protection in summer and also greenery in Nuttlar."

The location in the centre of the village - between St. Anna's Church, residential buildings and the day care centre - was a very important aspect in the planning and construction. On the one hand, the existing building, which characterises the town centre, was virtually rebuilt with the extension. On the other hand, the new part of the building was designed in a restrained manner in order to blend in as well as possible with the appearance of the town centre. The result is impressive: The combination of the historic existing building and the extension provides the active members of the volunteer fire brigade with modern conditions for their important task; at the same time, the centre of Nuttlar retains its traditional appearance.

Hubertus Kreis particularly recognises the personal contribution made by the active members of the Nuttlar fire brigade to the redesign of the "white area" in the existing building. Areas previously used as living quarters on the upper floor of the building will in future be used to expand the classroom with social rooms and offices for the firefighters. A clear "black-white separation" is important for modern fire stations: a demarcation between areas where clothing contaminated with smoke gas - for example after firefighting operations - is stored (black area) and the white area where clean and ready-to-use items are stored.

The fire station had to be remodelled and extended because the building in its previous state no longer met current safety requirements. For example, the firefighters had to move into the existing building in completely cramped conditions. On the other hand, the extension now enables functional and safe processes for firefighting work and, thanks to new, spacious changing and sanitary areas, also more comfort for the emergency services. A total of 270 square metres of additional space is now available to the Nuttlar fire brigade.

The municipality of Bestwig has invested a total of 1.6 million euros in the remodelling and extension of the Nuttlar fire station. This includes 250,000 euros from a funding programme of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for the renovation of fire stations.