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Have your say on changes to North Glasgow fire stations

Have your say on changes to North Glasgow fire stations

Glasgow Times3 days ago
Residents were presented with two options for change yesterday at Balgrayhill Community Centre in Springburn as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) prepares to restructure.
In both cases, an extra full-time appliance will be added to the station in Maryhill.
Springburn Fire Station (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) However, the first option would also include reducing the number of full-time trucks stationed in Springburn from two to one.
And the second option would not affect the building - instead, it would involve Cowcaddens and Govan stations.
Deputy Chief Officer Andy Watt explained that removing one truck from Springburn would not change initial response times.
But it would mean that the response time of a second appliance would increase by an average of one minute and 25 seconds.
On average, the first firetruck would be at the scene of a fire within five minutes and 35 seconds, while the second one would join in seven minutes and four seconds.
It was also noted that, according to data from April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, only roughly 30% of calls needed a second vehicle.
The meeting in Springburn (Image: Sourced)
Have your say about changes to North Glasgow fire stations (Image: Sourced)
READ NEXT: Inside the public meetings over 'closure' of Glasgow fire station
SFRS representatives assured attendees that the difference would be slight but changes would allow the service to free up nearly £500,000.
Residents expressed concerns about what the money would be spent on, to which the officers responded that it would be spread out across Scotland with no specific plans yet.
Another issue raised was the landscape of North Glasgow, which includes tenements, Victorian buildings and assisted living facilities, all of which could be at increased risk of fire and make evacuation difficult.
One woman noted: "This would put more pressure and responsibility on the businesses to ensure evacuation and fire safety.
"The care sector needs huge reassurance."
Bob Doris, MSP, for Maryhill and Springburn, added: "We would also need reassurance that you have taken high-rises and disorder, minor fire raising into consideration.
"Sites like the Promat factory are at bigger risk."
(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) Fire officers explained that the review is needed so they can redirect funds for modernisation, training and prevention to respond better to changes such as the climate emergency and industry changes.
You are encouraged to share your opinion here.
We previously reported that option one would see Cowcaddens fire station rebuilt on Maitland Street, the sale of the current site, and the closure of Yorkhill fire station which currently has one appliance.
Option two would see the closure of Cowcaddens at its current site with the land sold off, but they would retain their Maitland Street site for possible future development. Yorkhill would remain open.
The SFRS Service Delivery Review consultation will run until September 16, 2025.
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