Rural Fire Service Illawarra zone manager Superintendent Richard Cotterill said because the building was built many decades ago, it had not kept up with the changing demographics of RFS volunteers.

As an example, he said before the upgrade, the building only had one toilet.

"The station now incorporates male, female and disabled toilets and showers as well as a larger training area and improved kitchen facilities," Supt Cotterill said.

"We encourage people to undertake a whole range of roles in the Rural Fire Service and it's been heartening to see a wider range of community members joining brigades across the board.

"The membership of brigades should reflect the membership of our community."

The Dapto station also incorporates a "hot fire training" area and Supt Cotterill said the upgrade would allow volunteers from as far away as Port Macquarie to be better trained.

The upgrade also included a widening of parking bays to allow for new model tankers.

It was funded through community donations and allocations from various levels of government.