Volunteers say the shared facility will boost emergency response, deepen collaboration and deliver a lasting asset for the whole community.
The new emergency services station, being delivered by the Victorian Government, will replace the existing SES and CFA stations, both of which were inundated during the 2022 floods.
Rochester SES controller Tim Williams said the decision to combine the two services came from the Department of Justice, which is overseeing the project.
"They're looking to make it a single precinct," Mr Williams said.
"This is not the only cohabitated site they're building, and if this one is as successful as they're hoping it will be, there's the possibility for future buildings to house combinations of emergency services."
Mr Williams said the station had been purpose-built to accommodate both organisations, with three SES vehicle bays, four CFA vehicle bays, and shared office and turnout areas designed to encourage day-to-day operation.
"There won't be any spare space on the site," he said.
He said the new building would also be built above the required flood level and include modern technology and solar panels.
Mr Williams said sharing a facility could also encourage more volunteers to become members of both organisations.
"It may make crossover a little easier. You may have members who volunteer with both the CFA and SES, and that could increase volunteer numbers," he said.
“There's no reason people can't be involved with both organisations.”
Rochester Fire Brigade captain Chris Nisbet said the brigade had outgrown its current station, which has served the community for about 75 years.
"We've been campaigning for new facilities for a long time," Mr Nisbet said.
"As much as the flood was a challenge for our town, it got us to the top of the list for a new station."
The new station will house the brigade's pumper, tankers, rehabilitation vehicle and field command vehicle.
Mr Nisbet acknowledged there had initially been some uncertainty about sharing the facility but believed it would ultimately strengthen both organisations.
"I think this is actually going to bring the two organisations very close together," he said.
"I can only see that continuing into the future with a new facility."
He said the station had been designed with flexibility at its core, featuring a large multipurpose room with a movable dividing wall that can be used jointly by SES and CFA members or opened up to host larger community gatherings.
The building will also feature an industrial kitchen and be available for community events, while its central location is expected to make it a suitable venue for regional emergency services training.
Work has started on the site, with construction kicking off following a smoking ceremony held last week to mark the occasion.
"The excavators are in there at the moment clearing the site, and they'll be starting to bring in the fill next week," Mr Nisbet said.
He is optimistic volunteers will move into the new station by the middle of next year.
Rounding out the project, a new CFA pumper will also be delivered alongside a heavy-duty backup generator — one large enough to power the entire shared facility, including the SES section, keeping both services operational when it matters most.
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