The new Station officially opened today marks the final stage in the policy of the Corporation of Glasgow as the Local Fire Authority in providing adequate fire cover on the outskirts of the city where large-scale housing and industrial developments have recently taken place and is in fact the fifth new station to be opened in the post-war era, the others being situated at Parkhead, Knightswood, Pollok and Castlemilk.
The station will serve in the main the new housing development of Easterhouse situated within the Provan municipal ward, but the actual station area of responsibility extends westwards to the Riddrie and Carntyne areas and eastwards to the city boundary taking in the Queenslie Industrial Estate.
In Provan ward there are almost 20,000 fire risks and further development is scheduled for the area, the present population being in the region of 90,000.
As this area was previously covered by the Parkhead station the opening of the new station will lead to a considerable saving of time in responding to fire calls in the district.
The new station was designed and built under the supervision of the Glasgow Corporation Architectural and Planning Department at a cost of approximately £70,000

Official Opening of

Easterhouse Community Fire Station

by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal 

18^th July 2007 

CHIEF OFFICER’S MESSAGE 

Brian P. Sweeney
Chief Officer
Strathclyde Fire & Rescue 

I am honoured and delighted that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has agreed to perform the official opening today of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s refurbished Easterhouse Community Fire Station.
The presence of Her Royal Highness not only graces this occasion, it also acknowledges the change in emphasis which Strathclyde Fire and Rescue places on the use of its fire stations in terms of making them more accessible to the community and its many partners.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue is committed to the continued modernisation of the service with a key aim of offering the public even greater protection from fire and other emergencies. Although it is clear that responding to emergencies remains a vital part of our role, we realise that we must place an increasing emphasis on preventing fires from occurring in the first place.
It has been recognized nationally throughout the emergency service community that by providing suitable facilities and a supportive network of relevant agencies, we can work in partnership and have a significant effect on the negative actions and behaviour of some important sections of our communities. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue staff are presently engaged in attempting to reach some of the most vulnerable members of our society with a range of youth initiatives designed to assist with future employability and encourage positive citizenship. Firefighters are excellent role models and are ideally placed to pass on their significant knowledge and experience.
Easterhouse like other areas within Strathclyde has a minority of the community who provide our staff with difficult challenges in terms of fire related anti social behaviour which sadly has resulted in some attacks on our staff during the course of their duties. The provision of this community resource in Easterhouse has allowed our staff to work more directly with these vulnerable youngsters alongside our partners in the police, education, health and housing in an appropriate environment.
The £1.7 million investment from the Fire Board to upgrade the station to a Community Fire Station recognises the shift from intervention to education and prevention and demonstrates that the fire station belongs to the community and should be used by the community.
We look forward to continuing the development of community fire stations throughout Strathclyde and I am confident that this strategy, in tandem with effective partnership working, will result in significant benefits in terms of reduced fire deaths, injuries, fire related anti social behaviour and increased social cohesion. I trust that we will all enjoy a pleasant day. 

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS 

Arrival at Easterhouse Community Fire Station 

Demonstration of RTC Operations 

Drill by Firereach Participants 

Tour of Station 

Unveiling of commemorative plaque 

Easterhouse Community Fire Station Profile 

The original Easterhouse Fire Station was opened on 28th May 1964 by Lord Provost Sir Peter Meldrum. Its opening marked the end of a programme of station developments to provide fire cover to the new and expanded housing estates on the edge of the City of Glasgow. In 1964 Easterhouse Fire station served a population of some 90,000. It was one of five fire stations that were built in the post war era for this purpose, the others being Knightswood, Pollok, Castlemilk and Parkhead.
The cost of the original station was approximately £70,000, this being funded by Glasgow Corporation.
The station that you see today has recently undergone a refurbishment and extension at a cost of £1.7 million and a build time of 16 months. The result of this redevelopment is a Community Fire Station which now serves a population of 53,145 and as the name suggests, will open its doors to local residents and various community groups.
The station also forms part of the Glasgow City Council lighting strategy, a partnership that has attracted £7200 of external funding. The colourful external lighting of the station tower makes the station clearly identifiable to the public.
The Station has a complement of 68 Operational Personnel and 3 Support Staff under the supervision of the Station Manager and following the extensive refurbishment, now features amenities such as the Phoenix Room for the use of Community Groups, enhanced lecture room facilities and significantly improved welfare and dignified facilities.
This Strathclyde Fire Board funded project demonstrates the commitment of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue to its employees and the local community with the establishment of an outstanding resource which will be an asset for many years. 

There are numerous colour photos of staff and kids in the programme.

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