Work on the island’s first combined fire and ambulance station began today.
Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK performed the sod cutting ceremony at the site in Ronaldsway.
The facility is being built opposite the airport, near to the Sefton Express Hotel and Strix factory.
Scheduled for completion in summer 2017, the station will provide a drive-in drive-out capability for ambulances and fire engines, facilities for retained firefighters and ambulance staff, and a training ground incorporating a 10-metre tower.
Once the combined station is operational, the southern ambulance service will leave its current base at Four Roads, which will become a replacement for Port Erin fire station.
The government says the £1.45 million investment in facilities, approved Tynwald in June, is necessary as the existing fire stations at Farrant’s Way in Castletown and Droghadfayle Road in Port Erin are both more than 50 years old and do not meet current standards.
The department’s plans will allow the two government-owned sites to be released for redevelopment.
Mr Watterson said: ‘This represents the beginning of a new era in collaborative working between front-line emergency services in the Isle of Man.
‘The combined fire and ambulance station will meet operational demands, provide strategic emergency cover and better serve the community in line with the Department’s commitment to keeping people safe.’
In today’s Isle of Man Examiner: Firefighters say goodbye to station.