Latest news with #SFRS
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Public meeting on Hamilton fire station appliance plans
The station's second appliance will be either withdrawn permanently or restored on a dayshift basis under current Scottish Fire and Rescue service proposals Public meetings are taking place this week about proposals for the future of the second appliance at Hamilton fire station, two years after it was first temporarily withdrawn – as part of changes potentially affecting four locations across Lanarkshire. Options set out in a nationwide review by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) propose either the permanent removal of Hamilton's second engine; or restoring it on a dayshift basis while adding a nucleus crew at Lesmahagow and an additional dayshift engine at Bellshill. Both sets of proposals would involve switching Cumbernauld's current second appliance to dayshift-only staffing of 8am to 6pm on weekdays, with on-call firefighters covering evenings and weekends; with the reduction allowing for urgent repairs to the station's RAAC-affected roof. SFRS's consultation website outlines that the options package including withdrawing Hamilton's second engine would save approximately £1.3 million per year and see 14 staff transfer to roles including fire prevention; while the set of proposals reintroducing the appliance on a dayshift pattern would save £503,000 annually and result in 'improvement in on-call resilience across South Lanarkshire'. Both would 'match resources to operational demand in the area during the busiest times' and are described as resolving the RAAC issue in Cumbernauld, avoiding 'around £5m property investment'. The consultation information notes that either change would result in an 'increase in second appliance response times in [the] Hamilton area', respectively at all times or during the on-call period; with a similar impact in the Cumbernauld area outside dayshift hours. Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ian McMeekin, who is head of service delivery in the SFRS west area, said: 'Our resources across North and South Lanarkshire need to be rebalanced to meet today's risks and demand. 'We've spent years developing our knowledge of community risk across Scotland and our modelling shows that the areas around Hamilton and Bellshill would benefit from a redistribution of where our resources are based. 'The introduction of a dayshift model for the second appliances at Cumbernauld, Hamilton and Bellshill also ensures we have additional staff in place during daytime hours to conduct community safety activities, such as home safety visits, hydrant inspections and care home visits. 'This option would also help ensure we have the necessary cover in place across the M74 corridor and a network of stations in South Lanarkshire during daytime hours when on-call availability can be challenging.' He added: 'Cumbernauld fire station is also affected by reinforced autoclave aerated concrete (RAAC), which requires urgent action. It is not possible to repair the station with its current occupancy of two wholetime fire appliances, and it is not possible to rebuild the station on another site. 'Operationally, Cumbernauld also aligns more with other stations which have less appliances. Changing the one of the appliances at Cumbernauld to a dayshift system would ensure we continue to match resources to risk and demand while repairing the RAAC roof.' The Hamilton public meeting takes place at Hillhouse & Earnock community centre on Tuesday, August 5, from 6-8pm; with a similar event taking place at Greenfaulds community facility in Cumbernauld at the same time the following day. Both will include a presentation, followed by attendees discussing and feeding back their views in small groups, and then a question and answer session. Places must be booked in advance by emailing Additional informal drop-in sessions will be held at The Fountain in Lesmahagow on August 7 and Bellshill Cultural Centre on August 13, each from 3-7pm and with no need to book. DACO McMeekin is encouraging 'as many people as possible to take part in the consultation process and attend the public meetings', saying: 'We have an opportunity for the first time since our national service was formed in 2013 to review how we provide our emergency service and build a modern fire and rescue service that is fit for purpose.' Hamilton's second appliance was temporarily withdrawn amid budget cuts affecting 10 stations nearly two years ago, with the number of firefighters based at the station reducing from 45 to 30 but with SFRS emphasising that the station has always remained staffed at all times and adding of the current proposals: 'There is no option to change Hamilton's appliance from 24/7 cover.' The public consultation runs until September 16, with final decisions on service delivery then due to be made by fire service board members in December.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Moment Edinburgh blaze rips through city centre building as fire crews swarm street
The moment Edinburgh fire crews swarmed a city centre street was caught on camera. Residents in the capital were urged to keep their windows and doors closed after the dwelling fire around 11am on Saturday morning. Footage captured from the scene shows the blaze tearing through a building on Jeffrey Street as a cordon was erected in the area. READ MORE: Forth Road Bridge closed in both directions as drivers urged to 'avoid the area' READ MORE: Edinburgh bingo hall imposes strict new rules as manager left 'absolutely disgusted' Four appliances and one height appliance was sent to the scene. Images show smoke billowing into the sky as firefighters tackle the blaze. It's understood no casualties have been reported. Scottish Fire and Rescue remain in attendance. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. An SFRS spokesperson said: "We were made aware at 11.09am on Saturday, July 26, to reports of a dwelling fire at Jeffrey Street. "We have four appliances and a height appliance at the scene. There are no reports of any casualties. "We are currently still in attendance."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Huge blaze breaks out in Scots city centre causing road chaos amid anti-Trump protests
Locals have been urged to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed CITY CENTRE FIRE Huge blaze breaks out in Scots city centre causing road chaos amid anti-Trump protests Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE blaze has broken out in a Scottish city centre, sparking road chaos as hundreds of protesters gather for anti-Trump protests. Emergency crews raced to a property on Jeffrey Street in Edinburgh this morning. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Crews raced to Jeffrey Street in Edinburgh this morning Credit: Alan Simpson 6 A fire broke out inside a property on the street at 11am Credit: Alan Simpson 6 The fire sparked road chaos as anti-Trump protestors gathered in Edinburgh Credit: Getty The alarm was raised after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) received reports of a dwelling fire shortly after 11am. Three fire engines and a high-reach appliance scrambled to tackle the blaze in the Holyrood area. Firefighters are currently at the scene as they work to extinguish the flames, and police have shut down surrounding roads. Luckily, no one has been killed or injured as a result of the blaze. However, fire chiefs have urged nearby locals to keep their windows and doors closed as smoke billows into the sky. Everyone has been urged to avoid the area as crews deal with the incident. The fire has caused road chaos across the city centre as hundreds of protesters gather for a mass anti-Trump rally during the president's visit. Many have taken to the streets in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen to voice their opposition to Donald Trump's visit to Scotland. Angry campaigners are listening to speeches and waving creative signs as the American leader enjoys a round of golf at his luxury Turnberry resort. The group that gathered in the citywere seen waving banners with anti-Trump slogans. Donald Trump tees off at luxury Turnberry course during Scots visit One demonstrator even photoshopped a photo of the president's face onto a cartoon devil with horns. A SFRS spokesperson told STV News: 'We were alerted at 11.09am on Saturday, July 26, to reports of a dwelling fire at Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh. 'Operations Control immediately mobilised three appliances and a high reach appliance to the scene, and crews remain on scene as they work to make the area safe. "No casualties have been reported. 'Members of the public have been advised to avoid the area and residents to keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke inhalation.' Police Scotland confirmed they are assisting fire crews in the area. 6 Luckily, no one was injured as a result of the blaze Credit: Alan Simpson 6 One demonstrated photoshopped the US President's head onto a cartoon devil Credit: Reuters
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- 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
22-07-2025
- 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.
