Designing and delivering operational, training and resilience infrastructure for fire, police and ambulance services.
Our teams design and build operational facilities that enable rapid response, effective collaboration and long‑term efficiency – even in the most challenging environments.
We understand the critical nature of emergency services operations, bringing the knowledge, skills and experience needed to respond to each organisation’s unique operational, cultural and financial requirements, recognising that one size does not fit all.
From high‑security justice environments to community fire stations and specialist training centres, we create places that perform under pressure, while supporting the people who protect and serve.
Over two decades of trusted delivery
Since 1999 we have delivered complex new build, refurbishment and fit‑out projects across the emergency services estate, including:
- Police, fire and ambulance stations with accommodation and welfare facilities
- Custody suites and detainment facilities
- Specialist training and operational support centres
We also work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and wider criminal justice partners to ensure facilities are secure, compliant and fit for purpose.
These projects are delivered in highly secure, live operational environments under strict design governance, where safety, confidentiality and business continuity are paramount. Our meticulous planning and seamless coordination ensure services remain operational throughout – maintaining public confidence and trust.
Our long-standing presence in this close‑knit sector reflects our reputation as an honest, dependable partner.
Fire and rescue
We have completed many fire and rescue services projects including external drill and training facilities, collapsible training towers as well as full fit out and refurbishment. We have also worked on community prevention rooms and lecture theatres.
Police
We have years of experience in delivering facilities for the police, including cell custody suites, operational command units, evidence suites, interview and process rooms and secure prison van entrances.
Ambulance
We deliver specialist ambulance facilities that enable rapid response, realistic training and safe management of high-risk incidents.
World-class real-world
training environments
Command and control suites with immersive, computer‑generated environments
High‑rise buildings with smoke control, staircases and lift systems
Collapsible and working‑at‑height training towers
Fully replicated domestic street scenes
Fire behaviour units for backdraft and flashover training
Road and rail transport extrication zones
Railway platforms, tunnels and train carriage scenarios
Rubble piles and confined‑space tunnel systems
Indoor facilities for aerial rescue, abseiling and adverse‑weather training
We develop realistic, bespoke training facilities that reflect real operational conditions and evolving risk profiles.
We recognise that every public service must balance capital investment with operational budgets, while remaining within government funding constraints. Whether delivering new build, refurbishment or estate modernisation programmes, by engaging early, we can help customers navigate estate strategies, capital priorities and funding thresholds, often supporting the upfront work needed to unlock future phases or release additional investment.
We work alongside customers to align schemes with wider strategies, such as force plans, estates modernisation programmes, PFI hand back requirements and regional sustainability frameworks. This collaborative approach enables informed decision making, cost certainty and long‑term value for money.
Our transparent, open‑book delivery model reflects our commitment to honesty, trust and responsible stewardship of public funds.
Environmental performance is a key area where Wates can add value. Through our joined‑up construction, engineering and facilities management capabilities, we help organisations reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption and operational costs.
Our in‑house MEP capability, through SES Engineering, allows early validation of design solutions, programme sequencing and commissioning – critical in live, operational environments. This integrated approach supports the development of low‑carbon estates, electric vehicle strategies and future‑ready infrastructure.
We have a deep respect for the vital role emergency services play in society. This shared sense of purpose underpins everything we do, from how we engage on site with local communities to how we foster trust, pride and confidence in public‑facing projects.
Our teams take pride not only in what we build, but in how we build it – contributing positively to local areas and strengthening community relationships.
By delivering efficient, well‑planned facilities that work harder for their users, we help emergency services organisations reduce operational costs while improving performance, resilience and wellbeing.
Everything we do is focused on enabling our customers to protect the public safely, efficiently and sustainably while delivering outstanding value for money.
