EMT train naming honours firefighters and BTP officers
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and British Transport Police Nottingham have been honoured by East Midlands Trains, in recognition of their swift emergency response to a major fire that broke out on Nottingham station concourse on January 12 ( RAIL 845).
The station’s operator unveiled two nameplates on its High Speed Train power car 43467, at a special train naming ceremony held on February 12.
Representatives from a range of organisations that provided support to EMT during the fire were invited - including East Midlands Ambulance Service, which attended the incident in case of any injuries (although none would arise following a rapid evacuation).
Nottingham City Council helped enforce road closures around the station, while BTP and Nottingham Police co-ordinated the emergency services - including the 60 firefighters who battled for 12 hours to extinguish the blaze, successfully protecting much of the Grade 2-listed building from being extensively damaged.
Network Rail staff and contractors were also invited to the ceremony, having helped to reopen much of the station less than 24 hours later.
All areas of the station are now fully operational except for isolated parts of the Southern Concourse, where most of the fire and smoke damage was inflicted.
EMT and Network Rail (which owns the station) say they are continuing to determine the timescale involved in completing repairs, which have been estimated to run into millions of pounds.
EMT Managing Director Jake Kelly, who unveiled the nameplates alongside BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther and Chairman of Nottinghamshire Fire Authority Councillor Brian Grocock, said: “In recognition of the valued work of the British Transport Police in Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the team at East Midlands Trains has made a unanimous decision to name one of the power cars of our High Speed Trains after these two organisations.
“This will mean that every day, people travelling between Nottingham and London will travel on a train bearing the name of these two organisations who provided such vital help during our time of need, and for which we remain indebted. We hope this represents the gratitude of everybody at East Midlands Trains.”
Crowther added: “I know my officers will probably say they were just doing their jobs, but the fact is they don’t always get the praise they deserve for putting themselves in danger every day, in order to protect the public. It can be easy to take them for granted.
“Being honoured in this way means a lot to them, and to all BTP officers and staff who are incredibly proud of our colleagues. I am thrilled that East Midlands Trains has chosen to show its appreciation in such a thoughtful and fitting way.”
BTP is now leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, which is being treated as arson. So far one suspect has been arrested - a 33-year-old woman from Derby.