Latest news with #SFRS
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Perth fire service cuts could put lives at risk, union warns
If approved, the FBU said, it would mean the permanent removal of the third pumping appliance at Perth and 15 firefighter posts. Lives could be at risk if the number of Perth frontline firefighting appliances are cut according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Their warning comes as Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) chiefs announced a public consultation into changes at Perth Community Fire Station in the city. In 2023 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service cut Perth appliances from three to two, with a reduction of 15 firefighters – a move which they want to make permanent. But the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) point out that firefighters who attended recent Perth blazes - the tragic fire in Scott Street in which a man lost his life and at Balhousie School now facing demolition – reported being under pressure while waiting for help from other fire stations. If the 2023 changes are approved, the FBU said, it would mean the permanent removal of the third pumping appliance at Perth and 15 firefighter posts. SFRS chiefs said Perth operational demand for the city's three wholetime appliances is lower than most fire stations with two wholetime appliances. But Perth-based FBU official Colin Brown said: 'As we have seen in recent weeks the speed and weight of response to fires and other emergencies is crucial to save life and property. 'Crews who attended the fires at Scott Street and Balhousie School have reported being stretched too thin in the early stages of these incidents whilst they awaited additional crews coming from county stations – Dundee's and Fife. 'Perth crews were also deployed to support and provided fire cover into Aviemore during the recent spate of wildfires. 'Cutting firefighter numbers and fire appliances removes resilience from the service when incidents do occur, this has the potential to put lives at risk and the FBU would encourage members of the public to fully engage in the ongoing SFRS consultation and let both SFRS and the Scottish Government know they don't want to see their fire and rescue service cut even deeper. 'The changes in Perth, if approved, would mean the permanent removal of the third pumping appliance and 15 firefighter posts.' Perth MSP Murdo Fraser criticised the move, particularly given the two devastating blazes in the city last month. He said: 'These proposed cuts to Perth Fire Station have been feared for a while and I understand the concerns that these will leave the brave firefighters who work there extremely short of much needed resources. 'The spate of recent fires we have seen in Perth underlines the need for a properly resourced fire and rescue service in our community.' SFRS head of service delivery for the east and the north of Scotland deputy assistant chief officer Andrew Girrity, said: 'Our modelling has shown that two appliances would align better with risk and demand. 'Currently, the third vehicle at Perth is a combined aerial rescue pump, and we want to change this to a dedicated high reach appliance. 'Since 2023, the dedicated high reach appliance has been temporarily crewed, and we need to find a permanent solution.' Speaking about the service delivery review Mr Girrity added: 'We have an opportunity for the first time since the national SFRS was formed in 2013 to review how we provide our emergency service across Scotland. 'I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the public consultation process and attend the public meetings.' A drop-in public meeting will take place tomorrow, Wednesday July 23, from 3pm to 7pm at AK Bell Library in Perth.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow nursery 'devastated' after attack by cruel vandals
Rockfield Nursery School in Barmulloch was attacked by reckless vandals on Friday, July 18, 2025. Police revealed they received a report of a fire and vandalism at the education centre on Rockfield Road at around 10pm. Officers, alongside firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), attended the incident. READ MORE: More than '£17,000 of iPhones nicked' from Braehead store Luckily, fire crews managed to tackle the inferno, and no one was injured during the incident. Cops have since confirmed they are treating the fire as deliberate, and an investigation is underway. READ MORE: Police hunting for 'gun-wielding' thugs after incident at Glasgow store READ MORE: Police update after Glasgow's Subway system brought to halt amid 'incident' Following the incident, the nursery took to Facebook to reveal they were 'saddened' and 'devastated' by the blaze. In images shared with the Glasgow Times, a well-ignited fire could be seen blazing away in the nursery's grounds amid the incident. Another picture shows the damage and destruction left behind after the fire. Glasgow nursery 'devastated' after attack by cruel vandals (Image: Supplied) A SFRS spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 9.38pm on Friday, July 18, to reports of a fire in the open on Rockfield Road, Glasgow. "Operations control mobilised two appliances to the scene, where firefighters worked to extinguish the fire. "Crews left the scene at 10.12pm after working to make the area safe." Meanwhile, a Police Scotland spokesperson added: 'Around 10pm on Friday, July 18, 2025, we received a report of a fire and vandalism at a premises in the Rockfield Road area of Glasgow. 'Officers attended to assist the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and the fire was extinguished. There were no injuries. 'The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident.' Glasgow City Council has been contacted for comment.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Empty properties sought for firefighter training in Surrey
A fire service is seeking support from property owners and developers to provide access to empty properties to conduct training in a "realistic environment".Surrey Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) said it aimed to ensure crews were fully prepared to respond to emergencies and operate in hazardous buildings could used to safely carry out breathing apparatus training, it commander for learning and development, Adrian Willard, said: "Having a realistic training environment helps to mimic real incidents, without putting lives or property at risk. "The smoke used in our training exercises is cosmetic and does not cause any lasting damage to properties."Crews took part in simulating a fire in a disused care home in Cranleigh provided by Surrey County Council last exercise included a live casualty, support South East Coast Ambulance Service, Hazardous Area Response Team and the Salvation Army."This regular training in varied environments ensures firefighters use effective search techniques and decision making, rather than a fire house they are used to working in," Mr Willard added.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Glasgow could lose a fire station and this is what people had to say about it
Residents living in areas that could lose a local fire station have raised concerns about whether they will be "kept safe" as a result. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been holding public meetings about the possible closures of Yorkhill and Cowcaddens fire station. The Glasgow Times attended two meetings this week on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17 to hear how residents feel about the two options for change which will affect Glasgow. At each meeting, which took place in The Pyramid in Anderston and Townhead Village Hall, the SFRS did a presentation about the two options before residents took part in a discussion and were invited to put forward ideas. 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 fire service has said the response times would remain favourable and highlighted Glasgow city centre is covered by the highest concentration of stations in Scotland. READ NEXT: MSP slams proposals to cut fire services across Glasgow A total of six residents attended the meeting regarding Yorkhill on Tuesday evening. There were concerns raised about whether the area's growing population has been considered when the options were drawn up or if the decision was based on current figures. Several planning applications have been approved in recent times with thousands of new homes set to be built in Anderston and Yorkhill. It was also pointed out that that the area has large venues such as the Hydro and SEC which have thousands of people attending at a time. One resident said: 'I don't think you should be cutting it [services] down when houses are being put up everywhere.' A second agreed: 'I think it's a shame both options put forward closing a station.' They continued: 'Glasgow is changing, there is a huge amount of redevelopment going on.' 🚒The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking a Service Delivery Review to explore ways to modernise and improve operations, ensuring we're better equipped for the future. 23 options for change will be part of a public consultation. Read more: — Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) June 25, 2025 It was also raised that Glasgow now has a Tall Buildings Design Guide, which could see more skyscrapers in areas including Anderston Quay and Cowcaddens, with questions asked over whether this had been considered by the SFRS. One resident said they don't want to see a 'scramble' in the future to reinstate services that they 'shouldn't have lost' in the first place. Another agreed they are concerned resources are being taken away despite more people coming to the area, with several people pointing out Anderston Police Office was also closed taking another emergency service base out of the community. One resident did highlight however that appliances attending a fire do not necessarily have to come from the nearest fire station. There were also questions asked about what could happen to the Yorkhill fire station site if it was sold and what could be developed there, with a resident saying there needs to be more social housing in the area. It was also said by one person that they hoped the decision on what land to sell of what not just about money. An attendee commented: 'They have to keep their head above water, but we need to be kept safe.' READ NEXT: Public meetings to be held on future of Glasgow fire stations Similar concerns were raised by city centre residents who attended Thursday evening's meeting about the possible closure of Cowcaddens station, particularly regarding the area's growing population and high buildings. Several developments have also been approved in the city centre with thousands of new homes also set to be built. A couple of the 12 residents attending said they felt choosing option one was a 'no brainer'. There was frustration over the fact both options which are being considered would see the current Cowcaddens site sold leading to possible developments in that area, with one person saying it will be a 'disaster' for those living nearby as they have already the experienced other developments being built nearby. They said: 'This consultation means nothing because the site is going to go. 'We are going to be impacted by another 10 years of building.' Participants at both consultations also asked if the city centre's changing road system have been considered when calculating average response times. One resident in Anderston said they have seen fire crews stuck in traffic while trying to move through the city centre. They said: 'The traffic is impossible, and it will only get worse as roads are filed down.' Some residents did not feel they have been brought into the consultation process early enough and said that 'decisions have already been made' however the SFRS did highlight there were public consultations early on when they were developing options. A few also commented they did not like that it felt as though two communities were being 'pitted against each other' over which fire station should close. Presentations were held by Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson, director of prevention, protection and preparedness in Anderston and Assistant Chief Officer Craig McGoldrick, director of training, safety and assurance, in Townhead who assured residents both options put forward are viable. The SFRS are working to reshape the service to meet new risks and make sure resources as where they are needed most. In the last 20 years, the number of domestic fires has halved and the number of people injured in fires has decreased steadily since the early 2000s, but there are now more wild fires due to the effects of climate change. They are also working to modernise their stations and want to put more resources into training and protection. The SFRS Service Delivery Review consultation will run until September 16, 2025. You can find out more and take part via If you require information in a langue other than English or in a different format such as braille or audio you can email A decision on what changes will be made is expected in December of this year. SFRS options for change in Glasgow There are two options for change in Glasgow involving five fire stations – Maryhill, Yorkhill, Govan, Springburn and Cowcaddens Option one Rebuild Cowcaddens on Maitland Street site and maintain two wholetime appliances. Reinstatement of second appliance that was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Reduce the number of wholetimes appliances based at Govan from two to one. The second appliance was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Reduce the number of wholetime appliances based at Springburn from two to one. Close Yorkhill which has one wholetime appliance based there. Reinstate the second wholetime appliance at Maryhill that was temporarily removed in September 2023. Option two Reduce the number of wholetime appliances based at Govan from two to one. The second appliance was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Close Cowcaddens which has two wholetime appliances based there. Maintain ownership of the neighbouring Maitland Street site for future development. Reinstate the second wholetime appliance at Maryhill that was temporarily removed in September 2023.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Inside the public meetings over 'closure' of Glasgow fire station
The Glasgow Times attended two meetings this week on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17 to hear how residents feel about the two options for change which will affect Glasgow. At each meeting, which took place in The Pyramid in Anderston and Townhead Village Hall, the SFRS did a presentation about the two options before residents took part in a discussion and were invited to put forward ideas. 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 fire service has said the response times would remain favourable and highlighted Glasgow city centre is covered by the highest concentration of stations in Scotland. READ NEXT: MSP slams proposals to cut fire services across Glasgow A total of six residents attended the meeting regarding Yorkhill on Tuesday evening. There were concerns raised about whether the area's growing population has been considered when the options were drawn up or if the decision was based on current figures. Several planning applications have been approved in recent times with thousands of new homes set to be built in Anderston and Yorkhill. It was also pointed out that that the area has large venues such as the Hydro and SEC which have thousands of people attending at a time. One resident said: 'I don't think you should be cutting it [services] down when houses are being put up everywhere.' A second agreed: 'I think it's a shame both options put forward closing a station.' They continued: 'Glasgow is changing, there is a huge amount of redevelopment going on.' 🚒The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is undertaking a Service Delivery Review to explore ways to modernise and improve operations, ensuring we're better equipped for the future. 23 options for change will be part of a public consultation. Read more: — Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) June 25, 2025 It was also raised that Glasgow now has a Tall Buildings Design Guide, which could see more skyscrapers in areas including Anderston Quay and Cowcaddens, with questions asked over whether this had been considered by the SFRS. One resident said they don't want to see a 'scramble' in the future to reinstate services that they 'shouldn't have lost' in the first place. Another agreed they are concerned resources are being taken away despite more people coming to the area, with several people pointing out Anderston Police Office was also closed taking another emergency service base out of the community. One resident did highlight however that appliances attending a fire do not necessarily have to come from the nearest fire station. There were also questions asked about what could happen to the Yorkhill fire station site if it was sold and what could be developed there, with a resident saying there needs to be more social housing in the area. It was also said by one person that they hoped the decision on what land to sell of what not just about money. An attendee commented: 'They have to keep their head above water, but we need to be kept safe.' READ NEXT: Public meetings to be held on future of Glasgow fire stations Similar concerns were raised by city centre residents who attended Thursday evening's meeting about the possible closure of Cowcaddens station, particularly regarding the area's growing population and high buildings. Several developments have also been approved in the city centre with thousands of new homes also set to be built. A couple of the 12 residents attending said they felt choosing option one was a 'no brainer'. There was frustration over the fact both options which are being considered would see the current Cowcaddens site sold leading to possible developments in that area, with one person saying it will be a 'disaster' for those living nearby as they have already the experienced other developments being built nearby. They said: 'This consultation means nothing because the site is going to go. 'We are going to be impacted by another 10 years of building.' Participants at both consultations also asked if the city centre's changing road system have been considered when calculating average response times. One resident in Anderston said they have seen fire crews stuck in traffic while trying to move through the city centre. They said: 'The traffic is impossible, and it will only get worse as roads are filed down.' Some residents did not feel they have been brought into the consultation process early enough and said that 'decisions have already been made' however the SFRS did highlight there were public consultations early on when they were developing options. A few also commented they did not like that it felt as though two communities were being 'pitted against each other' over which fire station should close. Presentations were held by Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson, director of prevention, protection and preparedness in Anderston and Assistant Chief Officer Craig McGoldrick, director of training, safety and assurance, in Townhead who assured residents both options put forward are viable. The SFRS are working to reshape the service to meet new risks and make sure resources as where they are needed most. In the last 20 years, the number of domestic fires has halved and the number of people injured in fires has decreased steadily since the early 2000s, but there are now more wild fires due to the effects of climate change. They are also working to modernise their stations and want to put more resources into training and protection. The SFRS Service Delivery Review consultation will run until September 16, 2025. You can find out more and take part via If you require information in a langue other than English or in a different format such as braille or audio you can email A decision on what changes will be made is expected in December of this year. SFRS options for change in Glasgow There are two options for change in Glasgow involving five fire stations – Maryhill, Yorkhill, Govan, Springburn and Cowcaddens Option one Rebuild Cowcaddens on Maitland Street site and maintain two wholetime appliances. Reinstatement of second appliance that was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Reduce the number of wholetimes appliances based at Govan from two to one. The second appliance was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Reduce the number of wholetime appliances based at Springburn from two to one. Close Yorkhill which has one wholetime appliance based there. Reinstate the second wholetime appliance at Maryhill that was temporarily removed in September 2023. Option two Reduce the number of wholetime appliances based at Govan from two to one. The second appliance was temporarily withdrawn in September 2023. Close Cowcaddens which has two wholetime appliances based there. Maintain ownership of the neighbouring Maitland Street site for future development.
