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Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Petition launched against proposed changes to Helensburgh Fire Station staffing levels
Plans by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would see Helensburgh's full-time facility switch to a "day crewing" model. A petition has been launched against proposals to change staffing levels at Helensburgh Fire Station. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Service Delivery Review is reviewing a proposal that could see the full-time station in Helensburgh adopt a "day crewing" system, meaning crews would be based at the station only from 8am to 6pm. Under the new model, on-call crews would then respond to emergencies during the night. Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has launched an online petition to challenge the proposed changes, calling on locals to express their opinions and pushing for a re-think of the plans. She has also expressed safety concerns due to the proximity of Faslane Naval Base and RNAD Coulport. The Labour MSP for Dumbarton, who is also the Deputy Leader of Scottish Labour, has teamed up with local fire service staff to ensure community voices are heard. Ms Baillie staffed a stall at Helensburgh's Market in the Square on Saturday, where she briefed residents about the potential changes and encouraged them to support her petition. She expressed her worries, saying: "I have real concerns over these cuts and what it would mean for Helensburgh and Lomond residents should they go ahead. "The SFRS have admitted that an increase in response times can be expected outwith core dayshift hours. "It's unacceptable to place residents at increased risk and I'm opposed to these plans." Currently, Helensburgh operates two fire engines, one manned by full-time firefighters and the other by an on-call team. The station currently operates with a full-time crew of five firefighters, primed for immediate response. They are bolstered by an on-call appliance, manned by 10 personnel equipped with pagers, ready to respond to emergencies. The status of the second on-call appliance will remain unchanged. Ms Baillie is also behind a leaflet campaign, encouraging community members to voice their opinions. SFRS chiefs have arranged a public meeting to discuss the proposals, scheduled at the Victoria Halls on Tuesday, August 26, at 6pm. In June, Area Commander Joe McKay, the Local Senior Officer for Argyll and Bute, told the Lennox: "We are currently in the midst of a service delivery review, which aims to ensure that our resources – our staff, stations and appliances – are matched to operational risk and demand across Scotland. "We also must address urgent property issues including stations affected by Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), which includes Helensburgh Community Fire Station." He added: "Helensburgh is one of a number of change options that have been recommended to progress to public consultation, which is launching later this month. "Any permanent changes to our station footprint or how we deliver our services will only come after the public consultation process and a final decision has been made by the SFRS Board." To view Ms Baillie's petition, click here.
Glasgow Times
31-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Have your say on changes to North Glasgow fire stations
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.
