On Friday 16 October 2015, Luxembourg Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch, and Minister of the Interior, Dan Kersch, inaugurated the new €3.6 million building of the National School of the Fire and Rescue Service (ENSIS) in Niederfeulen.
The new extension, located in a park close to the existing building, was the result of a project first developed in June 2006, and the 1,400 m2 construction was completed last month. The outlay of the building is characterised by its clear and functional expression of the programme involved, with increased insulation of the outer shell part of the government's policy to limit energy waste.
The project has resulted in two compact volumes dividing the two main functions of instructional activity and accommodation needs. The two areas, with the 'Instruction' part in front and the 'Accommodation' aspect on the hillside, are connected by a third elongated piece ensuring function distribution.
The space accommodated both theoretical and practical teaching, as well as rooms capable of holding 22 people for extended courses over several days. On the ground floor of the 'Accommodation' space, located directly in contact with the park, are changing rooms and sanitary facilities, whilst floors 1 and 2 offer 10 double rooms and toilets and a shower room.
These changes follow a series of modifications and expansions undergone by the ENSIS, following the inauguration of a monitoring well pipe and pumps in 1974 and a first extention, providing a workshop and hall for five vehicles in 1986.
As the number of students began to steadily increase, reaching 2,216 candidates in 149 different courses in 2014, talks of possible expansions to already established settlements began. Construction on the €3.6 million building, including taxes, was initiated in mid 2012.
The National School of the Fire and Rescue Service provides the definition, management and coordination of the training of firefighters, with two levels of training available.
At the local or regional level, training focuses on basic aspects such as equipment, ladders, pipes, group exercises and first aid courses, whilst training organised at ENSIS provides for the 1st Degree certification of competency in techniques in the fight against fire (BAT1).
The recently announced construction of the National Centre for Fire and Rescue (CNIS) in Gasperich will consolidate the new fire and rescue centre of the City of Luxembourg and the future management of the Grand Ducal fire and rescue body with the CSU-112 rescue centre and the National Emergency Training Institute (INFS).
Upon completion of the CNIS, scheduled for 2021, the training activities of the Niederfeulen site will be transferred to Luxembourg City with the commissioning of the INFS.
The state-owned National School of the Fire and Rescue Service in Niederfeulen will remain at the disposal of the National Federation of Firefighters, and localities will be mainly used for activities related to 'young firefighters'. Basic training offered at the zonal level will also be considered, respective to the continuous training for volunteer firefighters.
Photos by Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure (Top L-R: Dan Kersch, Minister of the Interior; Alain Becker, Ministry of the Interior; François Bausch, Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure)
