2010

Wholetime Firefighters operate a four watch system. (2 days, 2 nights, 4 off. Red, Blue, Green and White.)

An Urban Search and Rescue Unit (USAR) was received under the New Dimension programme and is crewed by the retained unit.

NEW FIRE STATION
Divisional Headquarters Opened At Dumfries
Sir John Crabbe Performs Ceremony

The new Dumfries Fire Station built in Brooms Road by the South Western Fire Area Joint Board, at a cost of £45,000, was officially opened yesterday afternoon by Sir John Crabbe, of Duncow, H. M. Lieutenant for Dumfriesshire and convenor of the county. Sir John was deputising at short notice for Provost George J. McDowall, Dumfries, who is unfortunately indisposed.
At the opening ceremony, which took place in the Appliance Room of the Fire Station, the chair was taken by Mr Robert MacInnes, Beith, vice-chairman of the South Western Fire Area Joint Board who was taking the place of Board’s chairman, Treasurer M. A. S Hamilton, who is also indisposed.
Mr MacInnes was accompanied by Sir John Crabbe, Mr A. F. C. Clark, assistant secretary, Scottish Home Department; Mr H. R. Mackay, area Firemaster, Kilmarnock; Mr I M’Caig, county clerk, Ayr; Mr J. Sutherland, Dumfries, the architect for the new Fire Station; and the Rev J. L. Mangles Troqueer Church, Dumfries who dedicated the building.

Fruits of Development

The chairman welcomed the members of the public present, and intimated apologies for absence from Treasurer Hamilton and Provost McDowall. After referring to the pleasure it gave the Area Joint Board to have Sir John Crabbe to perform the opening ceremony, Mr MacInnes said that the splendid new fire station was one of the fruits of firefighting development which had taken place in recent years.
Sir John Crabbe said that late the previous night, on returning from receiving a cup from the management of the Regal Cinema for civil defence, he had been informed on the telephone that Provost McDowall was indisposed and asked to open the fire station in his stead.
He supposed he must have been contemplating what he would say since he had dreamt that, during the ceremony, the fire alarm went, and that the firemen had dashed away with their appliance to the seat of a real fire. What had struck him at the time was what a practical and spectacular opening that would have made.

Glamour of the Engine

Referring to the interesting brochure giving details of the new fire station, copies of which had been circulated to those present, Sir John said that he noticed that there was now no mention of “fire engine” and that the word “appliance” had now been substituted.
He was sorry about that, because the old fire engine, whether it was pulled by horses or by a motor, had a great glamour attached to it. Everyone invariably dashed to the window when they heard the clanging of the fire bell, to see the fire engine dash past with its crew clinging on like limpets.
He regretted that the words “fire engine” had sunk into oblivion, and that the word “appliance,” which could be applied to anything and everything, had taken their place.

Costly and Dangerous

Fires, went on Sir John, were not only terrifying, but were most costly to the nation, as the published list of fires each month showed. They would, however be far more costly and dangerous were it not for the leadership of the firemasters, the skill and bravery of the fireman, and the modern appliances with which they were equipped.
Something else which was not fully appreciated was that the firemasters and their staff were always inspecting factories and public buildings of all sorts, and giving advice on their safety.
Dumfries concluded Sir John Crabbe, “has now a central fire station worthy of the Royal Burgh, and since it has been erected on an ideal site with easy access to most of the landward area, everybody should be pleased.
Sir John was thanked on the call of the chairman.

Valuable Addition

Mr Clark expressed congratulations to the South Western Fire Area Joint Board, on behalf of the Scottish Home Department, on the erection of the new fire station. The station, he said, would be a valuable addition to the firefighting resources of both the burgh of Dumfries and the three southern counties of Dumfries and Galloway.
They in the Home Department knew only too well that that day’s opening ceremony was the culmination of a long and sometimes weary journey. Economic circumstances had delayed that interesting piece of capital investment as they had other pieces of capital investment throughout of the country.
Rev Mr Mangles then offered a prayer of dedication.

Alarm Bell Rung

Mr Sutherland thanked the contractors for their support and help, and paid a glowing tribute to Firemaster Mackay for all interest he had taken throughout all the stages of the building of the new fire station.
Sir John Crabbe was then conducted to the control room, where he rang an alarm bell to signify that the station was officially an operation. On this signal, firemen manned one of the appliances, and drove it out of the station.
The guests were thereafter conducted in parties round the premises, and, on completion of the inspection, were treated to a buffet tea in the lecture room.

The New Station

The new fire station has been built to replace the fire station erected in 1925 by the burgh of Dumfries. The old station was found to be inadequate for present day requirements as it could not house all the appliances attached to it. Consequently, vehicles and pumps had to be kept in the open, and messing and dormitory accommodation for the men had to be provided some distance away in the requisitioned premises belonging to the Loreburn Bridge Club at 36 George Street, Dumfries.

Prominent Site

The station occupies a prominent site extending to 1.74 acres in Brooms Road, at the junction with Leafield Road, and is designed to accommodate three first line appliances, three other vehicles, a whole-time staff of 22, and a part-time staff of 16, in addition to auxiliary fire service personnel.
The station will be known as the Dumfries Fire Station and, as a divisional headquarters station, will serve the purpose of “parent” to all the 16 part time fire stations in Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire.

Rapid Turnouts

The basic planning requirements of a new whole-time fire station are simplicity of the plan and correct layout of the operational units of the station so that the rapid turnouts to calls can be made. This has been achieved in the new premises, although it is unfortunate that the provision of a hose drying and drill tower has been withheld because of the present restrictions on capital expenditure. It is hoped, however, that approval will be given to incorporate this essential part of the station at an early date.
(Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 29 November, 1958. Page 15)

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