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HAVERHILL Fire Station has started the new year with more firefighters and equipment after an upgrade from five to seven day a week crewing.
From January 2, the station has had 12 full-time firefighters, up from eight, the retained crew staying the same.
The station is also be be the base for one of two operational support units in Suffolk for dealing with major incidents, the other based in Ipswich.
The upgrade follows a review last year of standards of fire cover, which identified Haverhill's expanding size, with extra domestic and commercial development taking place in the area.
An unsuccessful petition was launched against the downgrading of Sudbury fire station and the new staff who were recruited have just started work at Haverhill.
One of them has transferred to the town from Merseyside.
Acting Sub Officer Phil Geeson welcomed the change and said the fire service recognised how fast the town was growing.
"We are growing with the town. The firefighters here are happy with the change, it is good for the town and good for station morale."
Leading Firefighter Dave Bax has worked in Haverhill for 26 years and there had been great changes in the service during that time with much better equipment, such as breathing apparatus which is far lighter.
Firefighter Steve Ford has spent 10 years in Haverhill and the previous 10 in Bury St Edmunds and says he prefers Haverhill by far. He felt the upgrade would be reassuring for the public.
"The town will have full-time professional cover at the weekends. It takes longer and longer to get from one side of the town to the other and now people can rest assured we will be there in minutes,".
Mark Sanderson, Temporary Divisional Officer for Suffolk Fire Service, said the service at Haverhill would be further enhanced by the arrival of the operational support vehicle, for which staff are currently being trained.
The vehicle is designed to cope with major incidents throughout the brigade and carries a wide range of equipment including a forklift vehicle, lighting, hose, foam and foam making equipment as well as a compressor to charge breathing apparatus cylinders.
Suffolk Fire Service also appointed a new Assistant Divisional Officer, Ian Taylor, who is moving from Leicester Brigade, and will be responsible for the Haverhill area.

E-Mail Link: Fire.Reception@fire.suffolkcc.gov.uk