A NEW fire station for Weymouth will be a hot topic of discussion over the next three months.

Dorset Fire Authority is to hold a 12-week consultation into plans for a community fire station at the former Westhaven Junior School site in Radipole Lane, Weymouth.

These artist's impressions show what the glass building - dubbed state-of-the-art by the authority - would look like.

It will be built with a real fire demonstration facility' to allow school groups to watch a fire from behind a window and learn about what to do if trapped by fire.

The number of fire engines to be based at the station will be discussed, as will the crewing arrangements for an aerial ladder platform - one of only two in the county.

The consultation runs until December 23, during which community focus groups and business groups will be asked to provide feedback.

Cash from the sale of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service's existing North Quay fire station will be used to fund the new station.

Fire chiefs say the current building is no longer suitable because it isn't energy efficient, has no drill yard and has no disabled access.

They also say that fire crews experience problems with congestion and restricted access on the main road outside the station, especially during summer months.

They add that the site is in need of about £284,000 of repair work and has no facilities to carry out community safety activities.

Chief fire officer Darran Gunter said: "We need to ensure that we have the right facilities to educate and change the behaviour of our communities.

"Over the last nine months, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has attended a number of dwelling fires where 11 members of our community tragically lost their lives in 11 separate incidents.

"This unprecedented and devastating trend must be addressed."

Fire chiefs have promised that staff redundancies aren't part of their proposals.

Decisions will also be made to establish a better balance between the number of workers involved in fire prevention activities and those deployed on emergency call-outs.

Mr Gunter added: "A state-of-the-art community fire station, together with additional staff for prevention activities, will greatly improve and support our commitment to ensure people in Dorset are safe from fire."