Establishment 2000

Broxburn had a call sign of 59 in Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, this was changed to L21, the new National Call Sign on 3/5/2017.

THE BROXBURN FIRE 

(To the Editor West Lothian Courier 27/12/1920
Sir, I beg of you publicity through your paper for the following –
On Xmas Eve there was a disastrous fire in Broxburn, in which valuable property was destroyed, this fire being the third within nine months, which has ended in the complete destruction of the premises involved. In spate of those object lessons, the local governing body responsible for the administration of the Broxburn area has done nothing, and today, if fire was to break out again, the people of Broxburn could only watch helpless, their property and homes disappear in flames and smoke.
It is appalling to think that a township offer at least 10,000 souls has no means of fighting even a minor fire successfully. In the last three fires no pumping engine, and no suitable hoses were to be obtained locally; even on the arrival of the Edinburgh fire brigade no head of water was obtainable from the street mains.
In the Coronation Buildings fire many people were rented homeless, besides the other losses they had to suffer. Mr Coulter must also have suffered through loss of trade. The band was also rendered at homeless through the destruction of their hall. Now we have the largest business in the town disorganised through the lack of proper accommodation. Now, Mr Editor, I claim that if proper firefighting appliances had been obtainable, almost the whole of the damage done in the three fires cited could have been avoided, and further it is obvious that the present governing authority has completely failed to meet the needs of this community, therefore, I appeal to all citizens of Broxburn to demand that the present system of administration through a committee of the County Council, shall cease, and to further demand that the Broxburn area be converted into a burgh.
The conversion of Broxburn into a burgh is the only solution for the present deplorable state that the public services have got into in this area. – I am, sir, yours faithfully.
ARTHUR PIRRIE. Kirkhill Park, Broxburn.
(West Lothian Courier, Friday, December 31, 1920. Page 6)

ALARMING FIRE IN BROXBURN.

Ł1000 Damage to Cycle Agent’s Premises. 

On Monday night there was much excitement in the Main Street, when it was discovered that there was an outbreak of fire in the premises of Mr H. G. Johnstone, cycle agent, etc.
About 9-45 Mr Johnson and his wife were preparing to retire for the night – the children were already in bed – when smoke was seen to be issuing from the floor. The children were hurriedly removed and the alarm was speedily given. It was seen then that the fire had broken out in the shop beneath the dwelling house. There is a front shop and back shop on the ground floor and the dwelling house is above.
Mr J. M’Garvey, waterman, was summoned, and he went off for the hosepipe, which constitutes the Broxburn “fire brigade,” and which is now kept at the West End. Formally it was stored in a shed in Buchan Lane. Meanwhile, a crowd had quickly assembled, and several men had rushed to the old store place to get the hose. The police were quickly on the scene and the Edinburgh Fire Brigade was phoned for, and arrived in about 30 minutes. The local firefighting apparatus was of little use, as the flames had got a firm hold of the premises by this time.
There were several explosions, probably caused by the busting of tins. The crowd of spectators had grown considerably. Mr and Mrs Johnson and family were taken in by Mr and Mrs. Crow (dentist), who resides opposite. The Brox Burn gave a good water supply, and the burning building was soon saturated. When the flames had been well subdued, the hose was uncoupled, and traffic was then able to continue in the Main Street. The hose was then attached to the street hydrant, and a copious stream of water was kept pouring on the smothering interior of the building.
The stock consistent of cycles, perambulators, musical instruments, cycle requisites, etc. The shop was completely gutted, and the dwelling rooms above where much damaged. The damage, estimated at over Ł1000, is, we understand ,covered by insurance.
(Linlithgowshire Gazette, Friday, February 4, 1927. Page 3)

Broxburn Newsreel
It is highly satisfactory that there is now established a Broxburn Auxiliary Fire Brigade, with eight volunteers constituting a complete crew. These members are undergoing weekly training at the High School under County Firemaster Anderson. Before the formation of the Brigade, which, I understand, will also function in peace time, Broxburn had never been adequately provided for with this essential service. It appears that in days gone by a barrel filled with water, mounted on wheels, and moved by manpower, represented the local firefighting brigade.
(West Lothian Courier, Friday, January 26, 1940. Page 8)

New fire station plan for Broxburn 

Broxburn’s antiquated fire station is to be replaced at last, it was announced this week.
The Lothian and Borders Fire Board plan to build large modern premises on the site of the former Holygate goods yard in West Main Street.
There is, however, to be no switch to full-time manning for the present.
A spokesman said this week: “The main reason for the replacement is that the existing premises are old and do not have the facilities required by an efficient modern fire station.
“In particular there are no drill facilities,” he added.
“While the existing station is very busy the demand is not sufficient for full manning at the present time.
“There will, however, be provision for this at a future date. The actual timing of the changeover is dependent on the growth rate of the Broxburn area.
“For this reason the new building will be specifically designed to allow us to extend it at a date without interfering with operational efficiency.”
The spokesman said that in the first instance the premises would house only one fire engine, although there were plans for eventually expansion if necessary
In essence, the fire station would provide a basis on which to build in the future.
Included in the plans are an appliance room, a washroom and office, a muster bay for handling equipment, a lecture room, a small kitchen, and the usual toilet and drying facilities.
It’s part-time staff of ten will continue to serve the Broxburn and Uphall district, as well as providing backup services for Livingston and surrounding area,
Subject to Scottish Home and Health Department approval, what is expected to begin before the end of the year, and will take 15 months to complete.
(Lothian Courier, Friday September 5, 1975. Page 3)

Broxburn firemen snub councillors

BROXBURN’S new Fire Station is scheduled to open on Saturday — in the middle of a blazing row.
For six of the ten retained part-timers have dampened the proceedings by refusing to turn out “on a matter of principle”.
The men claim that the dozen councillors who have been invited to the ceremony are nothing more than “parasites”.
One of the men, Sub. Officer Ian Muir, in charge of the station, said on Wednesday: “No councillors have been near this station in the two months we’ve been operational, but when there is free drink and food they swarm round like flies.
“The public are the people who are paying for this station and they should be coming to the opening instead.
“All the councillors are worried about is getting their picture in the paper and filling themselves full of drink.
“We do the same kind of public service as they do, but we don’t get all the perks. We have to pay for the wear and tear on our cars and our cleaning bills. We also get 40p in the pound off in tax whereas councillors get an allowance for attending the opening and certain tax allowances in their job.
“The Firemaster asked us to attend in full firefighting gear while the other four men went through the drill.
“But we refused. Why should we run around like a bunch of fairies for their enjoyment.”
Sub Officer Muir added that he will be “pulling out all the stops” at the Station’s open day next Sunday.
“This show is for the public, the people that matter,” he said.
Mr Douglas Close, Deputy Firemaster, Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade said that the whole thing was getting out of proportion. “It’s a pity that this has to happen on the one day that the town gets a first class fire station.
“There is no question of this turning into a binge. The station is being opened on a very low key with only 30 guests invited, including wives and families of the firemen.
“Because of financial cut-backs guests will only get one glass of sherry or whisky when they arrive. All the catering is being done within the brigade by volunteers.
(Lothian Courier, Friday, November 5, 1976. Page 18.)

FIRE STATION
Although it has been fully operational since early September, the official opening of Broxburn's new fire station at Holygate will take place on Saturday, November 6, when Councillor Cook will perform the opening ceremony. The brigade's average number of call outs is now 10, compared to the average of 25 call outs weekly during the long hot summer weeks.
(Lothian Courier, Friday, October 8, 1976. Page 19)

Fire Station open day

<PHOTO> of the new station.
Sunday proved to be anything but a day of rest for Broxburn’s firemen, when they held an open day from 1 to 4 p.m. at their new Holygate Fire Station.
A long queue had formed 40 minutes before opening and at the end of three hours, at least 400 people had seen around the new premises, while most of the younger visitors had been around at least twice.
Fire Officer ‘A’ Division, Division Commander J. Welsh, gave the opening speech and a full local complement of 10 firemen had a hectic afternoon dealing with many questions and giving practical demonstrations of equipment. The Area Fire Prevention Officer from Laurieston, Station Officer Jim Brydon, besides many question and answer sessions, also gave a film show on Fire Prevention, mainly about the home, and demonstrated how to extinguish a chip pan fire, a demonstration he had to repeat several times, such was the interest shown.
The rescue of a person from a wrecked blazing car was also shown, plus the use of breathing apparatus to effect rescues from smoke filled burning rooms.
Several wet youths testified to the popularity of the competition for knocking targets down with jets of water, and the free tea and biscuits provided topped a great day out for everybody.
So successful was the day that many visitors requested that the open day become an annual event.
(Lothian Courier, Friday, November 19, 1976. Page 14.)

HISTORY OF THE BROXBURN FIRE UNIT 

Prior to 1939, Broxburn, although a large village, had no Fire Brigade. Edinburgh Corporation made a charge for allowing their Fire Appliances to attend incidents at Broxburn. Scottish oils had an Industrial Fire Unit but this apparently was only for use on their own premises and other specified properties.
With the outbreak of war and the formation of the Auxiliary Fire Service, an A.F.S. crew was formed in Broxburn. They were provided with two large Coventry Climax Fire Pumps which were fitted on trailers. The Unit acquired two old private cars which they serviced and made roadworthy for towing the Pumps. The vehicles were kept in the old slaughter-house which was owned by the Co-operative Society. The public apparently associated the Fire Unit with the Co-operative Society as Share Books were frequently shown to the personnel when attending fires.
Some of the earlier fire calls attended by the A.F.S. Unit were the direct result of enemy aircraft.
On Nationalisation of the Fire Service in 1941, the Broxburn crew were issued with uniforms and were trained in Edinburgh. At this time, work had commenced on the building of a new Fire Station at Station Road using tradesmen recruited to the Broxburn Fire Unit. The station was subsequently opened in 1943 and an Austin Towing Vehicle replaced the private cars.
In 1948 when the Fire Service was de-nationalised and handed back to Local Authority, ten personnel were recruited and a part-time Retained Unit was formed in Broxburn. The Unit was then provided with a self-propelled Water Tender Fire Appliance which carried 100 gallons of water.
The method of calling the personnel to fires during this period was by members of the public or Brigade Control dialing the local telephone operator who connected them to Scottish Oils who in turn took the particulars, operated the siren and house bells and informed the personnel of the address etc, on their arrival at the station.

PRESENT FACILITIES

Since those earlier days, there has been considerable advancement in the design of Fire Service Appliances and Equipment.
The Broxburn Unit are now called out by means of a Pocket Alerter which is operated by radio link from Brigade Headquarters and has telephone exchange line backup facilities. This arrangement enables personnel to have a much greater freedom of movement and results in a better response to fire calls.
The Unit is equipped with a 1973 Bedford Water Tender which is fitted with two-way radio communication and which carries a Portable Pump and 400 gallons of water.
The Broxburn Unit forms part of the first attendance to the following areas:- Broxburn, Uphall, Newbridge, Winchburgh and Ecciesmachan. They are also called as a supporting appliance to Livingston, South Queensferry and Turnhouse Airport.

Development of Population of Broxburn

                 1961       :               Approximately 9,000
                1971       :               Approximately 11,000
                1981       :               (Estimated) 18,000-20,000 

Emergency Calls Received : l970—l975 

                1970       : 114                       1973       : 327
                1971       : 118                       1974       : 255
                1972       155                         1975       : 244
(Source of document unknown)

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.