North Wales Fire and Rescue Service today (Friday 16th March) officially welcomed the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to its fire station at Flint where a new partnership will see both organisations working alongside each other to protect the public.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for preventing the loss of lives at sea and co-ordinates search and rescue at sea through Her Majesty's Coastguard.

Station Officer Garry Jones at Flint Coastguard Station explains: "Flint Coastguard had been looking for a base at Flint for some time and are pleased that North Wales Fire and Rescue Service agreed that we could occupy a bay at Flint Fire Station.

"This provided an ideal opportunity to adopt a partnership arrangement which would maximise the use of facilities to the benefit of both parties."

Kevin Brain, Response Manager with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "As we had the space we were more than happy to accommodate the Coastguard response vehicle at Flint Fire Station.

"We recognise the value of partnership working, with many successful partnerships already helping us to ensure we provide the best possible service to the public as well as helping to drive down costs."

The official opening ceremony which took place at Flint Fire Station at 13.00hrs was attended by Coastguard Coastal Safety Manager Davy Thompson, Sector Manager Clwyd Will Williams, Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith, Rt Hon David Hanson MP, Sandy Mewies AM, the Mayor and Mayoress of Flint as well as representatives from the RNLI.

Pictured at the ceremony: (Front left) Simon Smith - Chief Fire Officer, with members of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and Chief Executive with (Front right) HM Coastguard Coastal Safety Manager Davy Thompson with members of HM Coastguard.