Lambeth River Fire Station returns to historic home on River Thames

London Fire Brigade’s Lambeth River Fire Station has returned to its historic home on the River Thames following the completion of a deep maintenance programme.

Babcock International and SMS Group undertook the overhaul and maintenance package of work at the latter’s dock in Lowestoft.

Last week, firefighters returned to Lambeth River Fire Station after a period of operational duty at HMS President.

Fire boats have been utilised in London since as early as the 1700s and a river station has been positioned at Lambeth since 1936. Lambeth River Fire Station’s firefighters crew two fire boats responding to incidents from the river, bridges and the shore. Working closely with the RNLI, Metropolitan Police Service, HMS Coastguard and Port of London Authority, the Brigade’s boat crews attend over 170 incidents a year – more than three a week on average.

Alongside general improvements, painting and redecoration, the station’s hull has been fully refurbished, extending the life of the station by around 25 years. 

“Improvements to the station follow a £3.2m investment in two new fireboats. In service since 2022, ‘Tanner’ and ‘Errington’ are twice as fast as the previous vessels and can reach speeds of forty knots. As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats are fitted with a hydraulic crane for conducting rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera.

“We would like to extend our thanks to Babcock and SMS Group for their work to restore the station alongside Brigade staff. The refurbishments have provided the river station with longevity and improved the offices, accommodation, and recreational spaces available to the crews.”

Laura Birnbaum, Assistant Director of Property and Technical Support Services, London Fire Brigade

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