THE SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

The above chart shows the make up of the Service at 1/4/2013

Headquarters

21/2/2012         Perth Community Fire Station (Interim Headquarters)

March 2012?    Top floor Whitefriars House, 5 Whitefriars Crescent, PERTH. PH2 0PA.    Photo

1/2/2016           Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Westburn Drive, Cambuslang G72 7NA    Photo

Chief Officer

1/4/2013 to 15/2/2019        Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE

16/2/2019 to 31/8/2022      Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE

7/3/2023                             Chief Officer Ross Haggart (Interim Chief Officer since 9/7/2022)

Management Team 2/11/2012

Board Members 17/10/2012

Pat Watters Chairman
Bob Benson
James Campbell ex CFO Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
Kirsty Darwent
Marieke Dwarshuis
Michael Foxley
Robin Iffla MBE
Bill McQueen
Sid Patten
Neil Pirie
Martin Togneri
Grant Thoms

They members (excluding the Chairman) are appointed for four years and take up post in October 2012.
These appointments are regulated by the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland.
The legislation allows for a Board of between eleven and fifteen members.
There is an expected time commitment of 10-15 days per month up to April 1, 2013, after which it will be no more than 10 days per month for the first full year. The remuneration rate is a daily fee of £280.

Board Members 25/8/2018

Kirsty Darwent Chair of the Board from 11/12/2017
Bill McQueen Deputy Chair
Nick Barr
Brian Baverstock
Bob Benson
Anne Buchanan
Marieke Dwarshuis
Michael Foxley
Robin Iffla MBE
Sid Patten
Primrose Stark
Fiona Thorburn
Tim Wright

Board Members 2/12/2018

Kirsty Darwent Chair of the Board from 11/12/2017
Bill McQueen Deputy Chair
Nick Barr
Brian Baverstock
Lesley Bloomer
Anne Buchanan
Marieke Dwarshuis
Sid Patten
Malcolm Payton
Primrose Stark
Fiona Thorburn
Tim Wright
Mhairi Wylie

Board Members 24/7/2021

Kirsty Darwent Chair of the Board
Fiona Thorburn Deputy Chair
Nick Barr
Brian Baverstock
Lesley Bloomer
Malcolm Payton
Tim Wright
Mhairi Wylie
Stuart Ballingall
Steve Barron
Angiolina Foster
Paul Stollard
 

Management Structure January 2015

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE

Deputy Chief Officer QFSM Alex Clark 

Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott – Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications  

Assistant Chief Officer Peter Murray – Service Transformation 

Assistant Chief Officer David Goodhew QFSM – Response and Resilience 

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay – Prevention and Protection
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer David McGown – Prevention and Protection 

Assistant Chief Officer Dave Boyle – Service Delivery
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Coueslant – Service Delivery North
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John Miller – Service Delivery East
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Paul Connelly – Service Delivery West 

Sarah O’Donnell QFSM – Director Finance and Contractual Services 

Diane Vincent – Director People and Organisational Development
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Peter Heath – Head of Human Resources
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Iain Vincent – Training and Employee Development

Strategic Leadership Team 15/2/2016

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE
 

Deputy Chief Officer Alex Clark QFSM
  

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay Director of Response and Resilience
  

Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott QFSM Director of Prevention and Protection
  

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Diane Vincent Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Chief Officer's Business Support Team Alasdair Perry
DACO Response and Resilience John Dickie
DACO Prevention and Protection David McGown
DACO Training and Employee Development Paul Stewart
DACO Service Delivery North Andy Coueslant
DACO Service Delivery East John Miller
DACO Service Delivery West Peter Heath (since 22/9/2016, up till then it was DACO Paul Connelly QFSM)
DACO Strategic Planning and Performance Ross Haggart

Strategic Leadership Team 16/8/2017

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE
 

Deputy Chief Officer Iain Bushell
  

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay Director of Response and Resilience
  

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown Director of Prevention and Protection
  

Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott QFSM Director of Service Redesign
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Diane Vincent Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Chief Officer's Business Support Team Alasdair Perry
DACO Response and Resilience John Dickie
DACO Prevention and Protection John Joyce
DACO Training and Employee Development Paul Stewart
DACO Service Delivery North Andy Coueslant
DACO Service Delivery East John Miller
DACO Service Delivery West Peter Heath
DACO Strategic Planning and Performance Ross Haggart

Strategic Leadership Team 11/11/2017

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE
 

Deputy Chief Officer Iain Bushell
  

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay Director of Response and Resilience
  

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown Director of Prevention and Protection
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Diane Vincent Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

Strategic Leadership Team 26/1/2019

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE
 

Deputy Chief Officer David McGown (Temporary for up to 2 years)
  

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay Director of Response and Resilience
  

Assistant Chief Officer ? Director of Prevention and Protection
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Chief Officer's Business Support Team John MacDonald
DACO Response and Resilience John Dickie
DACO Prevention and Protection John Miller
DACO Training and Employee Development Paul Stewart
DACO Service Delivery North David Farries
DACO Service Delivery East Alasdair Perry
DACO Service Delivery West Peter Heath
DACO Strategic Planning and Performance Ross Haggart (Now called Service Redesign August 2018)

Strategic Leadership Team 16/2/2019

Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE
 

Deputy Chief Officer David McGown (Temporary)
  

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay Director of Response and Resilience
  

Assistant Chief Officer ? Director of Prevention and Protection
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Chief Officer's Business Support Team John MacDonald
DACO Response and Resilience John Dickie
DACO Prevention and Protection John Miller
DACO Training and Employee Development Paul Stewart
DACO Service Delivery North David Farries
DACO Service Delivery East Alasdair Perry
DACO Service Delivery West Peter Heath
DACO Service Redesign Ross Haggart

Strategic Leadership Team 1/8/2019

Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE
 

Deputy Chief Officer David McGown (Temporary)
  

Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie Director of Response and Resilience
  

Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart Director of Prevention and Protection
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

In September 2019  DACO Paul Stewart, Training and Employee Development, was temporarily  promoted to Assistant Chief Officer responsible for Training and Employee Development and is a member of the SLT. February 2020 Paul Stewart is now ACO Training.

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Chief Officer's Business Support Manager John MacDonald
DACO Response and Resilience Peter Heath*
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training and Employee Development Paul Stewart (Temporary ACO end of 2018)
DACO Service Delivery North David Farries
DACO Service Delivery East Jim McNeil (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery West John Miller
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Stuart Stevens (Temporary)

*David Young is the DACO for Response and Resilience since 6/1/2020.

Strategic Leadership Team 17/3/2020

Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE
 

Deputy Chief Officer David McGown (Temporary) Until his retirement 1/4/2020
  

Deputy Chief Officer Ross Haggart

Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie Director of  Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens Director of Service Delivery

Assistant Chief Officer Paul Stewart Director of Service Development
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Programme Manager John MacDonald
DACO Response and Resilience David Young
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training and Employee Development ?
DACO Service Delivery North David Farries
DACO Service Delivery East Jim McNeil (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery West John Miller
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications ?

Strategic Leadership Team 9/6/2020

Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE
  

Deputy Chief Officer Ross Haggart

Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens Service Delivery

Assistant Chief Officer Paul Stewart Service Development
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Programme Review Manager John MacDonald
DACO Response and Resilience David Young (Temporary)
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training and Safety Assurance Paul King (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery North David Farries
DACO Service Delivery East Jim McNeil (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery West John Miller
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications ?

11/7/2020

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Programme John MacDonald
DACO Response and Resilience David Farries
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training Paul King (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery North Andy Watt
DACO Service Delivery East David Lockhart
DACO Service Delivery West John Miller
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications ?

4/1/2021

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Programme John MacDonald (Retired 9/9/2021)
DACO Operations David Farries
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training Paul King (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery North Andy Watt
DACO Service Delivery East David Lockhart
DACO Service Delivery West John Miller
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications ?

Strategic Leadership Team April 2021

Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE
  

Deputy Chief Officer Ross Haggart

Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens Service Delivery

Assistant Chief Officer Paul Stewart Service Development
 

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services (On secondment to the Scottish Government)
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

Iain Morris Acting Director of Asset Management

John Thomson Acting Director of Finance and Procurement

21/12/2021

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Project David Lockhart
DACO Operations David Farries
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training Bruce Farquharson
DACO Service Delivery North Andy Watt
DACO Service Delivery East Stewart Nicholson (Promoted from South Yorkshire)
DACO Service Delivery West John Miller
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Garry Mackay

Strategic Leadership Team June 2022

Chief Officer Martin Blunden MIFireE
  

Deputy Chief Officer Ross Haggart

Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens Service Delivery

Assistant Chief Officer Paul Stewart Service Development (Retired 28/6/2022)
 

Temporary Assistant Chief Officer David Lochart Service Development

Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services (On secondment to the Scottish Government)
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

Iain Morris Acting Director of Asset Management

John Thomson Acting Director of Finance and Procurement

7/6/2022

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Project David Lockhart
DACO Operations David Farries
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training Bruce Farquharson
DACO Service Delivery North Stephen Wood (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery East Stewart Nicholson (Promoted from South Yorkshire)
DACO Service Delivery West Stephen Wright (Temporary)
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Garry Mackay

Strategic Leadership Team 6/9/2022

Interim Chief Officer Ross Haggart
  

Interim Deputy Chief Officer Stuart Stevens

Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries Service Delivery (Temporary)
 

Assistant Chief Officer David Lockhart Service Development (Temporary)


Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services (On secondment to the Scottish Government)
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development, Interim Deputy Chief Officer
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

Iain Morris Acting Director of Asset Management

John Thomson Acting Director of Finance and Procurement

22/12/2022

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Project Vacant
DACO Operations Garry Mackay (Temporary)
DACO Prevention and Protection Alasdair Perry
DACO Training Bruce Farquharson
DACO Service Delivery North Stephen Wood (Temporary)
DACO Service Delivery East Stewart Nicholson (Promoted from South Yorkshire)
DACO Service Delivery West Stephen Wright
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Vacant

Strategic Leadership Team 7/3/2023

Chief Officer Ross Haggart
  

Interim Deputy Chief Officer Stuart Stevens

Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries Service Delivery (Temporary)
 

Assistant Chief Officer David Lockhart Service Development (Temporary)


Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services (On secondment to the Scottish Government)
 

Liz Barnes Director of People and Organisational Development, Interim Deputy Chief Officer
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

Iain Morris Acting Director of Asset Management

John Thomson Acting Director of Finance and Procurement

Strategic Leadership Team 20/4/2023

Chief Officer Ross Haggart
  

Deputy Chief Officer Stuart Stevens

Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt Training, Safety and Assurance
  

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries Service Delivery
 

Assistant Chief Officer David Lockhart Service Development


Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services (On secondment to the Scottish Government)
 

Liz Barnes Interim Deputy Chief Officer (Corporate Services)
 

Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications

Iain Morris Acting Director of Asset Management

John Thomson Acting Director of Finance and Procurement

20/4/2023

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Project Vacant
DACO Operations Garry Mackay
DACO Prevention and Protection Iain MacLeod
DACO Training Bruce Farquharson
DACO Service Delivery North Stephen Wood
DACO Service Delivery East Stewart Nicholson
DACO Service Delivery West Stephen Wright
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Vacant

17/10/2023

There are eight Deputy Assistant Chief Officers

DACO Service Delivery Model Project Vacant
DACO Operations Garry Mackay
DACO Prevention and Protection Iain MacLeod
DACO Training Bruce Farquharson
DACO Service Delivery North Stephen Wood
DACO Service Delivery East Andrew Girrity
DACO Service Delivery West Stephen Wright
DACO Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Vacant

Strategic Leadership Team 9/11/2023

Chief Officer Ross Haggart

Deputy Chief Officer Stuart Stevens
Assistant Chief Officer Andrew Watt Training, Safety and Assurance
  Assistant Chief Officer David Farries Operational Delivery
Assistant Chief Officer David Lockhart Prevention, Protection & Preparedness
Sarah O'Donnell QFSM Director of Finance and Contractual Services
Liz Barnes Interim Deputy Chief Officer (Corporate Services)
Mark McAteer Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications
Lyndsey Gaja Interim Director People

Board Members 9/2/2024

Kirsty Darwent Chair of the Board
Fiona Thorburn Deputy Chair
Brian Baverstock
Malcolm Payton
Tim Wright
Mhairi Wylie
Stuart Ballingall
Steve Barron
Angiolina Foster
Paul Stollard
Neil Mapes
Therese O'Donnell
Dr Andrew Smith
Madeline Smith

There are 356 stations in Scotland, 65 in the East SDA, 165 in the North SDA and 126 in the West SDA. Made up of 50 Wholetime, 24 Wholetime/Retained, 240 Retained Stations, 33 Volunteer and 9 Community Response Units.

The East SDA has 15 Wholetime, 7 Wholetime/Retained, 1 Wholetime/Day Crewed and 42 Retained.

The North SDA has 7 Wholetime, 5 Wholetime/Retained, 140 Retained Stations, 4 Volunteer and 9 Community Response Units.

The West SDA has 28 Wholetime, 11 Wholetime/Retained, 58 Retained Stations and 29 Volunteer Units.

Hubs (2013)

Local Senior Officers (LSOs)

East Service Delivery Area

North Service Delivery Area

West Service Delivery Area

Fleet Management

In 2019 two shifts were created at Inverness and there is a Shift Supervisor on each shift

Fleet Management 2024 February

In 2019 two shifts were created at Inverness and there is a Shift Supervisor on each shift

Operations Control

SFRS Youth Volunteer Scheme

Types of Appliances

Rescue Pumps

Medium Weight Rescue Pumps

Rapid Response Units

Aerial Rescue Pumps

Aerial Ladder Platforms

Hydraulic Platforms

Turntable Ladders

Heavy Rescue Units

Command Support Units

Line Rescue Units

Urban Search and Rescue

Hazmat Support Unit

Mass Decontamination

Marine Operations Group

Water Rescue Units

Water Carriers

High Volume Pumps

Fire Investigation Units

Canine Unit

Notes

A Rescue Pump in the new livery and the new RPs with BA sets in a locker.

There are to be 32 Local Senior Officers one for each of the 32 Council Areas, it hasn't been stated what his rank will be yet but I would not assume they will all have the same rank. (September 2011)

When the appointments of the Local Senior Officers were announced there were only 17, a number of them are covering more than one Council. (14/3/2013)

News

11/4/2024          Chief Officer Ross Haggart has announced his retirement later this year.

4/4/2024            At Dunblane Fire Station DACO Farquharson along with Firefighters provided a demonstration of new Wildfire equipment of which there will be 10 Polaris All Terrain Units (ATV), 10 Ford Ranger 4x4 vehicles and 4 logistical Support Units along with other new equipment.

30/12/2023        In the Kings New Year Honours List 2024 Watch Commander Penicuik Fire Station, Iain Morris Head of Asset Management were awarded The Kings Fire Service Medal.

2/10/2020          The first Electric Pumping Appliance went on the run at Clydesmill Fire Station.

4/9/2023            Due to budget cuts by the Scottish Government 10 2nd or 3rd pumps were temporarily removed from the following stations: Maryhill, Govan, Cowcaddens, Kingsway East, Greenock, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Methil, Perth and Hamilton. At the same time the number of High Reach Appliances or Aerials in Scotland were reduced from 26 to 16 and will be further reduced to 14 later. Those being removed are Macalpine Road, Crewe Toll, Kirkcaldy, Polmadie, Springburn, Motherwell, Paisley, Ayr, Clydesmill and Clydebank.

4/9/2023            47 Trainees start their 14 week course at NTC Cambuslang.

1/7/2023           SFRS will stop attending AFAs to commercial business and workplace premises unless they receive a call confirming a fire.This change does not apply to sleeping premises who will continue to get a full response.

17/6/2023         In the King's Birthday Honours List Area Commander Matt Acton, LSO City of Edinburgh, was awarded the King's Fire Service Medal. Matt Acton is to retire this month. Peter Heath ex DACO for the West SDA and now Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service was also awarded the KFSM.

12/5/2023         46 Trainees start their course at the NTC Cambuslang.

20/4/2023         The following substantive appointments have been announced effective immediately. Deputy Chief Officer Stuart Stevens, Assistant Chief Officer David Farries Service Delivery, Assistant Chief Officer David Lockhart Service Development and Iain MacLeod DACO Prevention and Protection.

7/3/2023            Ross Haggart has been appointed as Chief Officer. Ross has held the post of Interim Chief Officer since July 2022.

10/2/2023         The funeral of Firefighter Barry Martin will take place in St Giles cathedral, Edinburgh on Friday the 17th of February 2023.

27/1/2023         Firefighter Barry Martin who was seriously injured at the Jenners fire has sadly passed away.

23/1/2023         SFRS are attending a fire at the rear of the Jenners building in Rose Street Edinburgh. Five Firefighters have been injured, one is in a critical condition and remains in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Four others have been released from hospital two suffering from burns and two from smoke inhalation.

31/12/2022        In the New Years Honours List Retained Watch Commander Alan Aitken, Douglas and Volunteer Leader, Crew Commander Robert Strang, Carradale were awarded the King's Fire Service Medal.

17/12/2022        Pass Out Parade now called Graduation ceremony) for courses T5/22 and T6/22

9/11/2022          LSGC Awards Ceremony, Inverness Fire Station.

6/10/2022          Highland North Long Service and Good Conduct medal ceremony, Carnegie Hall, Clashmore, Dornoch.

6/9/2022            Last recruits course of 2022 starts today with 96 Trainees.

1/9/2022            Martin Blunden has stepped down as Chief Officer. Ross Haggart and Stuart Stevens will continue in their Interim posts until a new Chief Officer is recruited.

9/7/2022            Ross Haggart is the Interim Chief Officer, Stuart Stevens the Interim Deputy Chief Officer and David Farries is Temporary Assistant Chief Officer Service Delivery

28/6/2022         Assistant Chief Officer Paul Stewart Service Development retired today.

10/6/2022         The first Electric Powered Fire Appliance will be located at Clydesmill Fire Station.

2/6/2022           In the Queen's Birthday Honours List for 2022, the Queen's Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to Ff John Fraser Coll, Group Commander Roy Dunsire (retired) and Crew Commander Stevie Maybanks (retired).

1/6/2022           Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie Training, Safety and Assurance retired today.

25/5/2022         Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Service Delivery West John Miller retired today.

25/5/2022         The East SDA Awards Ceremony took place in Dunfermline Green Pavilion.

20/5/2022        A contract has recently been awarded to Emergency One UK to build an electric powered fire appliance. It will have a range of 220 miles with an 80% charge. It will go on the run at Clydesmill Fire Station.

9/5/2022           T3/22 starts today at NTC Cambuslang with 35 Trainees for 13 weeks. T4/22 is also on. Both running 4 on 4 off?

11/4/2022        Graduation Ceremony for course T1/22 today and Course T2/22 tomorrow (12/4/2022). The two12 week courses were run concurrently using a shift system.

30/3/2022        BBC News has confirmed that Chief Officer Martin Blunden has been suspended following allegations about his conduct. ACO Ross Haggart will step into the role meantime.

21/2/2022        CFO Martin Blunden "cut the sod" along with SFRS Board Chair Kirsty Darwent for the new Asset Resource Centre at the National HQ, Cambuslang today. This will allow the Cowcaddens complex to be sold and the money raised will be used to invest in Fire Stations across Scotland including a new Cowcaddens Fire Station.

10/2/2022        Firefighters are being offered the chance to carry Naloxone Nasal Spray to help prevent drug deaths. Volunteers who chose to carry it will receive training.

25/1/2022        A vacancy has been advertised for a member of the Strategic Leadership Team as an  Assistant Chief Officer at a salary of £138,446 per annum.

20/1/2022        A number of Scottish Ambulance Staff have co-located to Aberdeen Central Fire Station. 8 Paramedics and 4 Technicians will operate 1 A&E Ambulance. They will work out of a separate room and will be dispatched by one of three Ambulance Control Centres.

17/1/2022        Course T1/22 (34 Trainees at Cambuslang NTC) and T2/22 (32 Trainees) started today. Due to the number of Trainees required this year's courses are working 4 on 4 off.

17/12/2021      Course T7/21 had their Passing Out parade today at the Newbridge Training Centre when 12 Firefighters graduated.

3/12/2021        Course T6/21 had their Passing Out parade today at the National Training School Cambuslang. 33 Firefighters graduated.

1/12/2021        A contract has been awarded to Emergency (One) UK for the supply of a Zero or Ultra Low Emissions Pumping Appliance to the value of £660,000.This appliance will be run Operationally for at least a year and if successful for considerably longer. This will be used as a basis for moving to a Zero or Ultra Low Emissions operational fleet over a period of several years.

17/9/2021        Passing Out Parade for Course T5/21 at Newbridge.

9/9/2021          DACO John McDonald retired after 30 years and 4 months.

6/9/2021          Course T6/21 (Firefighter Foundation Programme) with 36 Trainees started today and lasts for 13 weeks.

1/7/2021           North and South Lanarkshire LSO Areas combined to form Lanarkshire Local Senior Officer Area. Aberdeenshire and Moray LSO Area combined with Aberdeen City LSO Area to form Aberdeenshire, Moray and Aberdeen City Local Senior Officer Area

21/6/2021        11 Trainees start Course T5/11 at Newbridge.

18/6/2021        Course T3/21, ? recruits passed out today at the National Training Centre, Cambuslang after 12 weeks and 10 passed out at Newbridge.

17/6/2021        As it was twenty years since the statue of Citizen Firefighter was unveiled, a ceremony was held at the statue outside the Central Hotel, Glasgow and Citizen Firefighter was presented with his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

14/6/2021        36 Trainees start Course T4/21 at the National Training Centre, Cambuslang.

11/6/2021        In the Queen's Birthday Honours List Firefighter (Control) Carole Glendinning, Watch Commander Ronald McIntyre and Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John Miller were awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal.

                        The electric vehicle fleet of 45 Renault Zoe cars will be increased with another 62 Kia E-Nero cars. There are 98 Charge points at 61 sites.

                        Twelve new water Rescue Boats have arrived with a further eight due in July.

8/6/2021          A new Search and Rescue dog "Coorie", a young Malinois Belgian Shephard,  has joined the Canine Unit, he will join "Mac" as a replacement for "Diesel".

1/6/2021          Noticed that fire tunics now have a rank marking at the top of the tunic in the middle, looks like fixed on with velcro. Don't know when this happened.

1/3/2021          Two Scottish Ambulance Service Paramedic Units will now be permanently located in Castlemilk Fire Station.

5/1/2021          In a trial Covid testing can be booked at Lochgilphead and Thurso Fire Stations between the 6th and 29th January.

31/12/2020      Chief Officer Martin Blunden has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the Queen's New Year Honours List 2021.

26/10/2020      Fire Dog "Diesel" and handler Crew Commander Gary Carroll received the award for the 2020 "Hero Pet" at the recent Amplifon Brave Britons Awards.

26/10/2020      Galloway Mountain Rescue Team moved into the garages in the yard at Ayr Community Fire Station, that used to house the Retained crew and their appliances, and these will now be used as their Mountain Rescue Base.

10/10/2020       Retired Deputy Chief Officer David McGown was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. (delayed due to Corona Virus)

28/9/2020         Wholetime Recruits Course T6/20 started today at The National Training Centre Cambuslang. (24 recruits?)

2/9/2020           Course T5/20 finished today at The National Training Centre Cambuslang.

31/8/2020         Appliances and stations in the West SDA have started to change over to the new call signs today in the Dumfries and Galloway LSO Area with one LSO area changing over each week until 16/10/2020.

21/8/2020         Search and Rescue fire dog Diesel retired today.

17/8/2020        Technical Rope Rescue went live in Aberdeen City today. The Unit is based in Altens fire station. The Official launch of the Specialist Rope Rescue Unit was at Altens Fire Station on 24/8/2020.

24/7/2020         Wholetime Recruits Course T4/20 finished today after 11 weeks of intensive training. This course was shorter as all the recruits were previously Retained Firefighters.

22/7/2020         Police Scotland have co-located into Kirkcudbright Fire Station in a partnership with SFRS, after the existing Police Station was decommissioned as it was an old building no longer fit for purpose.

20/7/2020         Course T5/20 an 11 week course starts today at The National Training Centre Cambuslang.

20/5/2020         A 3 year old Spaniel named Phoenix recently joined the SFRS Fire Investigation Unit. He has been trained by his handler Jonathan Honeyman to detect the remains of flammable liquids. He joins the Services other Arson dog Flint and two Search and Rescue Dogs Diesel and Mac.

15/5/2020         Course T3/20 consisting of 24 Trainees completed their Firefighter Foundation Programme today at the NTC Cambuslang.

11/5/2020         Course T4/20 started at the National Training Centre, Cambuslang today.

24/4/2020         Course T2/20 Squads Sierra and Tango finished today at Newbridge Training Centre after 11 weeks, there was no Pass Out Parade due to Corona Virus. These were the first trainees to graduate from the Newbridge Training Centre. The 24 trainee firefighters have been posted to stations across the East and North Service Delivery Areas. The Trainees will receive their Graduation Certificates later in the year from Chief Officer Blunden.

1/4/2020           Deputy Chief Officer David McGown retired today. ACO Ross Haggart was promoted to DCO 17/3/2020.Both in DCO post till today.

30/3/2020         Course T3/20 started today? at the National Training Centre, Cambuslang.

27/3/2020         Course T1/20 has now finished early after 11 weeks. It was a staggered finish over three days this week with the final squad finishing their BA on the Friday.

19/2/2020         The new SFRS Youth Volunteer Scheme was launched at the National HQ in Cambuslang tonight by Community Safety Minister Ash Denham. It is open to youths aged 12 to 18 and there will initially be 10 Units across Scotland.

10/2/2020          Course T2/20 the 2nd intake of recruits for 2020 started at the Newbridge Training Centre, .

28/1/2020          New £10.5 million Training Centre at Newbridge opened today by Community Safety Minister Ash Denham.

13/1/2020          Course T1/20 with 36 Trainees started their 14 week course today at NTC Cambuslang.

5/1/2020             DACO Peter Heath leaves SFRS today to take up his new post as Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. David Young is the new DACO for Response and Resilience taking up post 6/1/2020.

27/12/2019          Retired Area Manager Jim Hymas (LSO for Glasgow City) was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the New Year's Honours List.

23/12/2019          DACO Peter Heath said he received his new kit for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service last week in readiness for his move there in January as an Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

20/12/2019          T3/19. 57 recruits graduated at the National Training Centre, Cambuslang after a 14 week training course. They were part of the 6,075 people who applied as a result of the recruitment campaign in April.

13/12/2019          T3/19. 24 recruits graduated at SFRS's Thornton Training Site after a 14 week course. This was the last course at Thornton as the training facility has moved to the new Newbridge Training Centre.

5/11/2019            The finalists for the 6th Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards 2019 have been announced, one of four  for Emergency Service of the Year is SFRS; one of five for Most Influential Woman in Fire is Sarah O'Donnell, SFRS; one of five for Emergency Services Collaboration of the Year is SFRS /Emergency One/Clan Tools/Cold Cut Systems. The Award Ceremony takes place on 6/12/2019.

4/11/2019            The Official Opening of Lerwick Community Fire and Ambulance Station was performed by Community Safety Minister Ash Denham.

31/10/2019          At the Fire Board meeting in Greenock today Chief Officer Blunden announced the Deputy Chief Officer David McGown is to retire in April 2020.

15/10/2019          Our Search and Rescue dog "Diesel" was awarded 'Animal of the Year' at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) awards ceremony at the House of Lords.

1/10/2019            Operational Role terminology will change from Managers back to Commanders, i.e. now Crew Commander through to Area Commander instead of Crew Manager etc. This is also the 50th Anniversary of the Official opening of Port Glasgow Fire Station.

16/9/2019            58 Trainee Firefighters started their 14 week Wholetime Trainee Firefighter Course at the National Training Centre, Cambuslane on Course T3/19.

3/9/2019?            DACO Paul Stewart, Training and Employee Development, has been temporary  promoted to Assistant Chief Officer responsible for Training and Employee Development.

30/8/2019            29 Trainee Firefighters today graduated at the National Training Centre, Cambuslang after 14 weeks of intensive training. T2/19.

29/8/2019            Electric Vehicles. The introduction of up to 100 electric vehicles into the SFRS light fleet was a project undertaken collaboratively with Transport Scotland and Scottish Government. Transport Scotland fully funded the vehicles on a leased programme for three (3) years.

26/8/2019            The Occupational Health moved into the new Training centre at Newbridge in Edinburgh. More sections will be moving in culminating in an Official Opening later this year.

26/8/2019            'Mac' a three year old English Springer Spaniel today joined SFRS as a Search and rescue dog. He is the fourth dog in the service and will join Diesel along with handler Crew Manager Gary Carroll in Aberdeenshire. The Service has two other dogs Flint and Phoenix which are Fire Investigation dogs.

1/8/2019              Area Manager Martin Tait is the new LSO for Aberdeenshire and Moray.

31/7/2019            Area Manager Jim Hymas, LSO City of Glasgow retired.

25/7/2019            Area Manager Ian Findlay, LSO  Aberdeenshire and Moray retired.

11/7/2019            Assistant Chief Officer Resource and Resilience Lewis Ramsay retired today after 30 Years service.

1/7/2019              Area Manager Craig McGoldrick is the new LSO for Dumfries and Galloway and Area Manager Ian McMeekin is the new LSO for East, North and South Ayrshire.

27/6/2019            Area Manager Jim Scott LSO for East, North and South Ayrshire retired.

27/6/2019            The new Training Block at North Anderson Drive was Officially Opened today.

1/6/2019              In the Queen's Birthday Honours List Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie and retired Area Manager John Joyce were awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal.

3/5/2019              61 Trainees graduated today at the National Training Centre in Cambuslang after a 14 week gruelling course, T1/19.

27/3/2019            It was announced today that Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart and Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John Dickie have been appointed to the post of Assistant Chief Officer Prevention and Protection and Response and Resilience respectively. ACO Lewis Ramsay until his retirement will undertake a process of Gold Command development for the DACOs within the Service. The two new ACOs will take up their posts on 1/4/2019.

16/2/2019            Today Martin Blunden became the second Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

15/2/2019            Chief Officer Alasdair Hay QFSM CBE retired today after 36 years as a Firefighter which included 6 years as the first Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

28/1/2019            R1/19 a 14 week course started today at the National Training School, Cambuslang with 60 Wholetime Firefighter Trainees. A separate course also started for 14 Operational Control Trainees.

24/1/2019            Assistant Chief Officer David McGown (Director of Prevention and Protection) has been appointed to the post of Temporary Deputy Chief Officer (Director of Service Delivery).

21/1/2019            Today Chief Officer Hay welcomed his successor, Martin Blunden, to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Over the next four weeks, he will be introducing Martin Blunden to the key elements of the Chief Officer’s role, before he officially takes it up on 16 February 2019.  Chief Officer Hay will retire from the Service on 15 February.

11/1/2019            Temporary Deputy Chief Officer (Director of Service Delivery) post advertised. This is a long term temporary post with a maximum time of two years.

21/12/2018          Deputy Chief Officer Iain Bushell has resigned from his post as Deputy Chief Officer to pursue other opportunities.

7/1/2019             18 newly appointed RDS Support Managers started their new roles today with a course and to discuss the concept of the Rural Full Time Posts at SFRS HQ Cambuslang.

29/12/2018         Group Manager Brenda Gillen, OiC of Johnstone Operations Control and Dundee Community Firefighter Kevin Phillip both received the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the New Year's Honours List.

21/12/2018         57 recruits had their Pass Out Parade at the National Training School at Cambuslang today. Course T3/2018

20/12/2018         LSO Iain McCusker attended his last West Senior Management meeting today prior to his retirement. Retired 7/1/2019? (Received retirement Tally 7/1/2019)

14/12/2018        23 recruits passed out today at their Graduation Ceremony at Thornton Training Centre. They will be posted to stations in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife in the new year. This is the last recruits course to be held at the Thornton Training Centre which has been in use as a Training Centre since the 1970s. Future Training Courses in the East SDA will be held at the new Training Hub at Newbridge in Edinburgh, which is due for completion in March 2019.

13/12/2018        23 recruits passed out today at their Graduation Ceremony at Portlethen Training Centre. Course T3 2018. They will be posted to stations in the North SDA.

7/12/2018          The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Director of Response and Resilience, Lewis Ramsay, has been awarded Outstanding Contribution to UK Fire and Rescue Services at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards 2018 in London. 

27/11/2018        Martin Blunden at present Deputy Chief Officer of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has been appointed as the new Chief Officer of SFRS and will take up the post in early 2019.

24/9/2018          At 4 pm today ST18OYO, the first Rapid Response Unit to go on the run in Scotland, went on the run  at Valtos on the Isle of Lewis.

3/8/2018            103 recruits have now Passed Out from three Training Schools, Course T2/18, after 14 weeks of intensive training and will be posted to stations, 58 at Cambuslang on 27/7/2018, 24 at Portlethen 2/8/2018 and 21 at Thornton today.

1/8/2018            Six new members will join the SFRS Board in October, they are Brian Baverstock, Lesley Bloomer, Malcolm Payton, Mhairi Wylie, Nicholas Barr MBE and Tim Wright.

12/6/2018          Official launch of 20th Water Rescue Unit in Aberdeen Central Station. This Unit will be capable of conducting rescues in shallow, deep, fast moving and standing bodies of water.

8/6/2018            In the Queen's Birthday Honours list Stewart Edgar, ex Chief Officer of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service and now Chief Officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his 27 years service to Local Government. Retired Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ally Boyle has been appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to charity, particularly the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Anthony Nolan Partnership. The Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to retired Area Manager David Rout (LSO for Aberdeenshire and Moray), Operations Control Area Manager Libby Logan and Retained Watch Manager Rosemery Curtis Kilchoan Unit.

7/6/2018            A £1.3 million investment in new specialised kit for severe weather responses from which over 7,00 firefighters will benefit was announced today. The heavy-duty, PVC kits have already been introduced to 13 stations in each of the West, East and North Service Delivery Areas – including Banchory, Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Altens, Braemar, Fochabers, Dreghorn, New Cumnock, Newton Stewart, Lockerbie, Peebles, Jedburgh and Eyemouth – and will soon be rolled out across the country.

23/5/2018         The roll out of the new BA sets is now complete. A total of 2,200 sets by Draeger each with a working duration of approximately 38 minutes are on the run at every station or unit in Scotland. The cost of the change over from the various sets in the legacy services was $4.5 million.

18/5/2018         The roll out of the new Bristol fire kit consisting of tunics and leggings has commenced in the North and East SDAs with the West SDA roll out due to commence soon. New Fire Helmets (Rosenbauer), gloves and boots will only be issued when the present ones are unserviceable.

15/5/2018         Chief Officer Alasdair Hay has announced he will be retiring in March 2019.

2/5/2018           Area Manager David Lockhart has been appointed LSO for Falkirk and West Lothian

25/4/2018         Launch of the new Rapid Response Units at Portlethen Training Centre, each one will carry a crew of four, two BA sets and Cobra Cold Cutting Equipment which can cut through steel or brick enabling Firefighters to tackle a blaze more safely from the outside. This is a £7.6 million investment.

13/4/2018         53 new Firefighters passed out today at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s National Training Centre in Cambuslang.

8/3/2018           A turf cutting ceremony led by Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister, Annabelle Ewing, marked the first phase of construction at the SFRS East SDA Headquarters in the city’s Newbridge area. The £12 million Training Centre will open in March 2019.

26/1/2018         Area Manager David Proctor, LSO for East Renfrewshie, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde retired today after 30 years service.

22/1/2018        The latest Water Rescue Unit was launched today at Oban Community Fire Station.

15/1/20018      15 new recruits for Control Firefighters started today, they will spend 1 week at the Cambuslang National Training Centre then they will go to their respective Controls for 11 weeks before returning to Cambuslang for 1 week then they start on their watch. Each of the 3 Control Centres will get 5 recruits.

29/12/2017       Crew Manager Gordon Brown, Leader of the Kinloch Rannoch Volunteer Unit has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the Queen's New Year's Honours List for services rendered over the last 40 years.

15/12/2017       After 14 weeks of intensive training 35 firefighter recruits Passed Out at the National Training Centre in Cambuslang today.

11/12/2017       Rab Middlemiss has been appointed at Local Senior Officer for Highland. Kirsty Darwent is now the Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's Board

8/12/2017         Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Board, Pat Watters retired today after more than five years at the helm.

4/12/2017         Director of People and Organisational Development, Diane Vincent, has today announced her decision to leave SFRS to pursue opportunities outside of the Service.

6/10/2017         Dr Kirsty Darwent has been appointed Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Board, taking over from Pat Watters. Dr Darwent has served as deputy chair since 2015, having been on the board since 2012.

28/9/2017         Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott retired today.

27/9/2017         Local Service Officer for Falkirk and West Lothian, Area Manager Gary Laing retired today.

19/9/2017         New North Operations Control at Dundee was Officially opened today by Minister for Community Safety, Anabelle Ewing.

13/9/2017         The Safe and Well House at SFRS Headquarters in Cambuslang was officially opened today by Annabelle Ewing MSP, Minister for Community Safety.

11/9/2017         Dumfries Water Rescue Unit was launched today. Dumfries Fire Station is now officially the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s twentieth water rescue unit. The Unit was transferred to Dumfries from Annan and the other one in the area is at Newton Stewart.

11/9/2017         Today 36 trainee Wholetime Firefighters start their careers with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

17/8/2017         Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Coueslant – Service Delivery North retired today.

24/8/2017         The Western Isles District Office and Stornoway Community Fire Station were officially opened on Thursday, August 24 by Chair of the SFRS Board Pat Watters after a £2.7m refurbishment.

3/8/2017           David McGown who has been Temporary Assistant Chief Officer in the Prevention and Protection Directorate since July 2016 has been appointed Director of Prevention and Protection.

17/6/2017        In the Queen's Birthday Honours list the Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to Group Manager Andrew Watt, Asset Management; WM(c) Linda Coughlan, Johnstone Control and Retained Watch Manager Kenneth Simmons, Annan. In the same Honours list Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer Alasdair Hay was bestowed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

15/6/2017        The new Deputy Chief Officer Iain Bushell took up his post today.

3/5/2017          National Call Sign appliance callsigns will be introduced to the legacy Lothian and Borders operational area commencing today.

19/4/2017        Four Aerial Ladder Platforms and one Turntable Ladder manufactured by Rosenbauer were unveiled outside the Scottish Parliament today.

15/4/2017       The 5 Watch Duty System goes live today. It is already in use in the antecedent Strathclyde Fire and Rescue area as the Five Group System (Groups 1 to 5). The 5 Watch Duty System will have Green, Blue, White, Red and Amber watches

14/4/2017       101 recruits passed out at a special ceremony at Cambuslang today after 14 weeks of training at Cambuslang in Glasgow, Portlethen in Aberdeenshire and Thornton in Fife.

28/3/2017       The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service now share 63 facilities with Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service. A preferred station for a third boat on the River Clyde has been identified and this third station will provide a clear improvement in the water rescue capability.

22/3/2017       Iain Bushell has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Officer. He is currently Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management at Strathcona County Emergency Services in Alberta, Canada where he has responsibility for both fire and paramedic response.

8/2/2017        After a distinguished 30 year career protecting the communities of Scotland, Deputy Chief Officer Alex Clark will retire from SFRS on medical grounds on Monday 13 February.

9/1/2017        101 Trainee Firefighters started their new careers at the Cambuslang Training School today where they met Chief Officer Hay. They will be split into three groups which will go to the SFRS National Training College Cambuslang, Thornton in Fife and Portlethan just south of Aberdeen for their fourteen week course. This is the biggest intake of trainees so far.

31/12/2016    In the New Year's Honours List Watch Manager Ian Bell, Response and Resiliance, SFRS HQ Cambuslang was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal.

14/12/2016     The new North Service Delivery Area Headquarters in Dyce Fire Station was Officially Opened today by the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs Annabelle Ewing.

6/12/2016      The Command and Control Centre at Seafield Road, Inverness closed today and all calls for the legacy Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service are now being handles at the Temporary Dundee Operations Control at Macalpine Road. The legacy H&I call signs also changed to the new National Call Signs.

17/11/2016    The Dundee Asset Resource Centre was Officially Opened today by Annabelle Ewing, Minister for Community Safety and Legal affairs. This £3.7 million investments brings vehicle workshops, stores, ICT and property under one roof. This is one of four ARCs, Dundee, Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

8/11/2016      At 10am the legacy Grampian Fire and Rescue Service Control in Aberdeen room migrated to the Dundee Operations Centre and all appliances changed to the new National Call Signs.

4/11/2016      Aberfeldy Safer Communities Hub was launched today by John Swinney MSP. The Police have moved out of their station into accommodation in the Fire Station.

27/10/2016    The Museum of Fire in the old Lauriston Fire Station, Edinburgh closed today and the artefacts will be stored at the antecedent Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters complex at Maddiston, Falkirk until the old AFS station at McDonald Road, Edinburgh has been refurbished.

14/10/2016    The Edinburgh Museum of Fire will be returning to its former home in the McDonald Road Fire Station, Edinburgh where it will be the centrepiece of a new Community Hub anticipated to open in 2018.

13/10/2016    New LSOs were announced today, Area Manager John MacDonald for Highlands, Area Manager Hamish McGhie for Dumfries and Galloway and Area Manager Fraser Burr for Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles.

30/9/2016      The Aberdeen and Dundee workshops closed today. A new facility to replace them both at Highland Chief Way on the outskirts of Dundee and called the Dundee Asset Resource Centre becomes operational on Monday 3rd of October.

30/9/2016     

28/9/2016      The Dundee Operations Control move into temporary modular buildings at Macalpine Road.

27/9/2016      Chair of the SFRS Board Pat Watters and Chief Officer Alasdair Hay formally opened the new East Service Delivery Headquarters and Asset Resource Centre at Newbridge, Edinburgh today. The new base combines three facilities that had reached the end of their operational life – Lauriston Place in Edinburgh, Maddiston in Falkirk and Thornton in Fife. It brings together 130 staff under one roof and pools the experience and expertise of teams from across Response and Resilience, Prevention and Protection, ICT and Maintenance.

22/9/2016       DACO Paul Connelly retired and DACO Peter Heath moved to become Head of Service delivery for the West SDA.

19/7/2016       Nineteen new control room recruits started at the Cambuslang Training facility before work shadowing at Dundee, Edinburgh and Johnstone Operational Controls for five weeks, after which they will return to Cambuslang for a week’s training before being assigned to their respective watches or groups.

8/7/2016         Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson was shown the new combined Training Centre for SFRS and HIAL at Stornoway Airport which includes a carbonaceous unit.

24/6/2016       A trial where firefighters respond to help people who have suffered a cardiac arrest has been extended. It involves firefighters being sent to the emergencies to help casualties while ambulance crews make their way to the scene. Falkirk and Livingston community fire and rescue stations are the latest to participate in the trial, which started on the 1st November 2015 and already involves stations at Bathgate, Coldstream, Hawick, Lauder, Linlithgow, Musselburgh and Turriff.

11/6/2016       In the Queen's Birthday Honours List the Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Paul Connelly and Watch Manager Bryan Cuthill.

9/6/2016         Sixteen trainee firefighters, thirteen men and three women, have graduated at the Portlethen training centre near Aberdeen. They will be posted to stations across Aberdeen. Firefighter Natalie Parslow won the Chief Officer's prize for best trainee.

7/6/2016         Rosenbauer have been awarded a three year contract to supply Aerial Ladder Platforms throughout Scotland, with the first four units to be built and delivered within 2016. A further six units are anticipated to be built and supplied by the end of 2019. The Aerial Ladder Platforms will be the Rosenbauer B32 built on 26 tonne Volvo chassis, incorporating the world-class 500 kg rescue cage and the latest ‘design bodywork’ package with the now standard Anthracite boom/rollershutter package.

23/5/2016      It was announced that DACO Peter Heath has been appointed as the next head of service delivery for the West. He will take on the role in September following the retirement of DACO Paul Connelly

22/4/2016       Thirty new recruits had their Passing Out Parade at the SFRS National Training College in Cambuslang. They displayed the life saving skills they have learned in the last fourteen weeks. They will now be posted to nineteen stations throughout Scotland.

30/3/2016       At 10am the Operations Control at Thornton moved to the refurbished Operations Control in Edinburgh. All calls in The East Service Delivery Area are now handled by the Edinburgh OC and all East SDA stations are now using the new National Call Signs.

7/3/2016         Sixteen new recruits started their fourteen week training course at the SFRS Training Centre at Portlethen near Aberdeen. The trainees are the fourth group to undertake the foundation firefighter course since the SFRS was formed in 2013. All the recruits will be deployed to the North SDA with the majority going to Aberdeen City.

1/2/2016        The site of SFRS College – National Training Centre, Cambuslang will be the location of the new national headquarters and all corporate business will be run from this site from Monday 1 February.

26/1/2016      Appliances and stations in the legacy Maddieston Control area will move to their new National Call Signs with the amalgamation of Maddieson and Edinburgh Controls. Legacy Edinburgh Control area will still use existing call signs.

25/1/2016      8am will see the start of the implementation of the New National Call Signs with the introduction of these Operations Control callsigns:- Dundee Control - M2FX, Edinburgh Control - M2FY, Johnstone Control - M2FZ

18/1/2016      30 new entrants started their fourteen week recruits course today at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service National Training Centre at Cambuslang.

14/1/2016      This month will see a number of retirals from the Service namely ACO Dave Boyle, ACO Dave Goodhew and ACO Peter Murray.

8/1/2016        For what I believe is the second time the Flood and Environment Rescue Unit from Renfrew has been deployed to an incident (the first being flooding in Bearsden due to a burst water main 8/7/2013), the FERU was sent to the Tayside and Aberdeenshire areas for protracted use of its equipment during the recent flooding.

1/1/2016        In the 2016 New Year's Honours List the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) has been awarded to Peter Murray, Assistant Chief Officer and Sarah O’Donnell, Director of Finance and Contractual Services, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The Member of the Order of the British Empire  (MBE) has been awarded to Maurice Bruce Dodd, Volunteer, North East of Scotland Fire Heritage Trust. For voluntary service to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the North East of Scotland. (Bucksburn, Aberdeen)

21/12/2015    Aerial Rescue Pumps in the legacy Strathclyde area had the crew reduced from six to five to bring them in line with the other legacy areas.

9/12/2015      The refurbished Control Room in Edinburgh was officially opened by Minister for Community Safety and Public Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse. This state-of-the-art facility will manage control room operations in the East of Scotland.

19/11/2015    The Chief Officer announced a number of members of the Strategic Leadership Team will be retiring in 2016 and as a result there will be a number of changes with the SLT structure.
ACO Robert Scott will move to become the Director of Prevention and Protection, with ACO Lewis Ramsay assuming responsibility as Director of Response and Resilience
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are advertising for a Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communication (Rank of Assistant Chief Office) at a Salary of £101,508.
Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, has agreed with the Service’s recommendation that the site of SFRS College – National Training Centre at Cambuslang will be the location of our new National Headquarters.

1/11/2015      National out-of-hospital cardiac arrest co-responding trial starts in the East SDA where by Ambulance Control will dispatch a trained and equipped fire crew (if they are nearer) at the same time as an Ambulance.

29/10/2015    The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is currently refurbishing the Control room in Tollcross, Edinburgh which will ultimately manage Operational Control room operations within the East of Scotland. This will cover the legacy areas of Lothian and Borders, Fife and Central Scotland. Work is on-going to prepare for the migration of the legacy Maddiston and Thornton Control rooms into the refurbished Tollcross Control room.
On 23 November, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will take another step towards this migration with the opening of the East Service Delivery Area (SDA) Operational Control in Tollcross. This is the start of a phased process which begins with Tollcross staff moving back into the refurbished Control room, closely followed by the merger of Maddiston and Tollcross on 26 January 2016. Thornton Operational Control is also part of this migration process and will migrate with Tollcross during the 1^st Quarter of 2016.

8/10/2015      SFRS has joined forces with the British Heart Foundation to help save lives across the country by providing fire stations as a base for members of the public to teach themselves CPR.
The Service has agreed to house CPR kits and DVD training videos at its 356 stations across Scotland, and members of the public can contact their local community fire station to arrange a time to go into the station and watch the DVD which will give them the information they need to become a life saver. There will be manikins available at each station which visitors will use along with the instructional DVD.
This partnership is one part of our commitment to support the Scottish Government’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy, which aims to save an extra 1000 lives in Scotland by 2020.
The partnership launches on European Restart a Heart Day (Friday 16 October 2015). This is an annual event organized by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC). It is designed to raise cardiac arrest awareness by teaching members of the public how to restart a heart after a cardiac arrest. The initiative aims to pass on lifesaving skills to as many people as possible.

Today there was a Board meeting; previously the Board had submitted to the Scottish Government for ministerial approval a request that we locate our headquarters in Stirling. We had followed all the guidance and criteria that the Scottish Government had set out for us but of course we live in a time where the spending of public money is getting ever and ever tighter, so we had feedback from the Scottish Government that it would be inappropriate to do that. They gave us a change in the criteria that they set which enabled us to look at other premises in Scotland within our current portfolio and the Board decided this morning that subject to ministerial approval, the headquarters of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will also be located here at this Clydesmill facility which is in Cambuslang in South Lanarkshire. So I will be, if the Minister approves it, located here, which is also our new college.

29/7/2015      Today the Clydesmill Training Centre was officially opened by a flag raising ceremony as the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service College, where it has taken on all the functions that were previously undertaken by Gullane.

12/6/2015     The Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to Firefighter Stephen Bates (worked predominantly in the north of Glasgow), Watch Manager Roddy Lees (Banchory Station in Aberdeenshire) and Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott.

31/3/2015     The Scottish Fire Service Training School at Gullane will be closing on 31/3/2015 and all training courses will be transferred to SFRS Training Centre, Cambuslang (previously Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's Uaill)

26/3/2015       A report to the Board by DCO Alex Clark concluded that the site at Kildean Business Park, Stirling is the preferred option for the SFRS Headquarters building and this was the recommendation.

11/2/2015      The first white appliance on Shetland is now on the run at Sandwick. R337RSA is a former Grampian Fire and Rescue Service white Scania which was first stationed at North Anderson Drive.

29/1/2015      The Board approved the final report in regards to the Review of Specialist Resources and agreed that a programme of implementation be developed and communicated in conjunction with the Service Transformation Committee, with the caveat that SFRS will continue to engage with all Local Authorities during this period of change.

5/1/2015       ACO Peter Murray has been appointed as Director of Service Transformation; ACO Dave Boyle as Director of Service Delivery; and ACO Robert Scott as Director of Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications. The new Deputy Assistant Chief Officers (DACOs) took up post on 5 January 2015 with Paul Connelly, Andy Coueslant and John Miller in place as Heads of Service Delivery for the West, North and East respectively. David McGown has been appointed as DACO for Prevention and Protection and Peter Heath has been appointed as DACO for Response and Resilience, however, he has been seconded to HR as Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development, with current management structures in R&R remaining in place for the time being. One remaining DACO, Training and Development, post has still to be filled.
Congratulations to Andy Hermiston who was offered the DACO role in Training and Employee Development but who has since been successful in securing the Deputy Chief Fire Officer post at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The SFRS DACO post will be filled shortly.

31/12/2014    In the Queens Birthday Honours List 2015 the Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to Assistant Chief Officer David Goodhew and Crew Manager William Paterson (Balintore Community Response Unit).

3/12/2014     The successful candidates for the six Deputy Assistant Chief Officer's posts were announced today as Paul Connelly (West SDA), Andy Coueslant (North SDA), Peter Heath, Andy Hermiston, David McGown, John Miller (East SDA). They will take up their posts early in the New Year. The other three DACO posts will be People and Organisation Development (old HR), Prevention and Protection (old Fire Safety), and Training.

17/11/2014   The Control Room at Dumfries today merged with the Control Room at Johnstone with all calls for the West Service Delivery Area being answered at Johnstone.

7/5/2014       On the 7th May 2014 public recruitment of Firefighters will start through the www.myjobscotland.gov.uk  WEB site.

28/4/2014     A tender has been issued to supply Self Contained Breathing Apparatus to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It is envisaged that the contract will be for between 2,000 to 3,000 SCBAs and the initial contract will be for an initial period of 9 years with the possibility of being extended to 12 years maximum.

22/4/2014      At 9-30am today the first red appliances since 1998 in the former Grampian FRS area went on the run at North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen. Since 1998 appliances in this area have been white.

17/4/2014     The workshops at Maddieston (former Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service) officially closed today.

11/2/2014     Area Manager Stewart Edgar (former Interim Chief Fire Officer Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service) has been appointed Chief Fire Officer of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and will take up the post on the 24th of February 2014.

1/1/2014      In the New Years Honours List the Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to Watch Manager David Farries, Fire Investigation Unit based at Livingston Fire station and retired Watch Manager (Thomas) Kevin Blair, Officer in Charge at Dunbar Retained Fire station.

3/9/2013      The Union flag is flying at half mast at stations with flag poles as a mark of respect for Stephen Hunt whose funeral is taking place today at 11am in Bury Parish Church. Stephen died in a fire in Manchester on the 13th July, 2013.

29/6/2013      Group Manager Paul Stewart has been promoted to Area Manager in charge of Fire Safety at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.

17/6/2013      A dedicated Police Office has been provided in Newcastleton Fire Station. The Police Station in Newcastleton was closed in 2012.

15/6/2013      In the Queen's Birthday Honours list issued today the Queen's Fire Service Medal was awarded to Area Manager Stewart Edgar who was the Interim Chief Fire Officer of Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service until the 31st March 2013; Retained Watch Manager Anthony (Tony) Linney St Andrews Fire Station; and Crew Manager Paul Souden Campbeltown Community Fire Station.

?/?/2013        The term 'Hub' has been changed to Service Delivery Area (SDA).

1/4/2013        Cowcaddens Workshops take on the maintenance, servicing etc of all legacy Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service vehicles, plant and equipment. 

29/3/2013     The Launch of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service took place today at the Training Centre, Perth Community Fire Station and at the North Inch, Perth.

5/2/2013       Aberdeen announced as the Headquarters for the North Hub. (BBC Scotland News)

14/1/2013    The first formal meeting of the Board took place today at 11am in the Council Chambers of Perth and Kinross Council Buildings in Perth.

10/1/2013    The Interim Headquarters moved out of Perth Fire Station last year to the upper floor of Perth and Kinross Council building at number 5 Whitefriars Crescent, they have since moved back to Perth Fire Station to allow the top floor to be painted and will be moving back to Whitefriars in February.

30/11/2012    Chief Officer Hay announced the final two members of the Strategic Leadership Team which will officially take up office in the new year. The new Director of People and Organisational Development was confirmed as Diane Vincent, Head of Organisational Development at Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.  The Service's new Director of Finance and Contractual Services was named as Sarah O'Donnell, Head of Finance at Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

2/11/2012    Six Senior Officer appointments announced today.

17/10/2012    Members of the Board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were announced today.

31/8/2012    Pat Watters is appointed as the first Chair of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The appointment will be for three years from September 2012 and will attract a remuneration of £430 a day for a time commitment of between 15 to 20 days per month until April 1, 2013. For the first full year, the time commitment is expected to be at least 10 days per month but no more than 15.

16/8/2012    Alasdair Hay is appointed as the first Chief Officer of the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at a salary of £165,000.

21/2/2012    Perth Community Fire Station is announced as the interim headquarters of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

9/11/2011    Chief Fire Officer Jimmy Campbell of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service has been seconded as "lead officer" of the Scottish Government's Fire Reform Programme which will bring about a single Scottish Fire Service.

Official Launch

29^th March 2013 

SCOTTISH
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Working together for a safer Scotland 

WELCOME 

I’d like to thank everyone who has come along today to help us mark the inception of a new, national, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Since we began planning in earnest just over a year ago for this transition from eight regional fire and rescue services into a single Service we have had a firm focus on the work that needed to be done but also our eyes on the horizon and the date of 1 April 2013.
It’s amazing because it has taken on a significance of its own and become a focal point for staff in particular but also for all those who we work with at national and local government, partners and key stakeholders and, perhaps to a lesser degree, the public.
But it is a date that marks the end of one process and the beginning of a new organisation, a move we expect will be a seamless transition that will largely go unnoticed for the majority of people out with our respective fire and rescue services.
I firmly believe that this reform process will enable us to protect frontline services and ensure those resources are available 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure the safety of the public. Our staff remain firmly committed to that objective because what is critical for all of us is the delivery of a safe and effective fire and rescue service for the people of Scotland.
Our personnel have been working exceptionally hard over the past year to ensure that working in partnership we will deliver a handover that provides business continuity and the ability to develop the Service as we move forward.
Our SFRS Board Chair Pat Watters and the Board members are also absolutely committed to that process and they have been supporting us and scrutinising our strategic planning as we make this move towards a national Service.
I do recognise that the reorganisation of our services is one -of the most significant changes for the fire and rescue service in a generation. But we have a senior management team structure in place, Directors of Service Delivery for the North, West and East, 17 local senior officers to serve the 32 local authority areas and retain that key local connection and week by week we continue the transfer and matching process that will allow us to build new teams, with a wealth of experience, who will support the implementation of the detailed plans designed to achieve our objectives for a positive transition.
What has struck me most during my visits to different Service areas in the last few months is how dedicated and positive our staff are. They want to ensure that the best traditions of our Service remain and that we take every opportunity to maximise best practice, wherever we find it, to build stronger services for safer communities.
As we come ever closer to 1 April there is a palpable sense of readiness, we are set to make this change and have the collective desire to use this opportunity to build a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that we can all be proud of and which delivers excellent and equitable services across the country.
We all have a part to play in making sure that this process is a positive one. We have had fantastic support from our local authority areas across Scotland, key partners and very positive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and I believe people understand what we are trying to achieve.
There is still a significant amount of work to do though and the new Service will take time to evolve but the commitment is there both internally and externally to deliver and to ensure that our local communities benefit from this new national service. We need to continue building on the excellent work that has already been done by the existing services.
I hope you will enjoy today, please do take the opportunity to speak to some of the local officers, firefighters and support staff you will meet. They will be delighted to tell you about the work that is being done both in terms of preventative community safety initiatives and on the response side of the organisation. You will also enjoy seeing some of the equipment and specialist skills we have at our disposal to respond in emergencies and help us keep people safe.
Once again thank you for your attendance here today and I will look forward to meeting with you in a new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone today as we gather to mark the beginning of a new, national Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the people of Scotland. As the Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board I can say that myself and the Board members have been working very closely with the Chief Officer and his team to develop the detailed plans in place to make this transition.
Staff in the fire and rescue services have been working very hard to bring these plans to fruition and I know that people are excited about the opportunities this will afford us to improve on the vital services we deliver to local people.
The Board will play a crucial role in scrutinising the performance of the new Service as well as supporting the Chief Officer to shape and direct a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that delivers for communities across Scotland.
Partnership will be at the heart of everything we do. We will work closely with national and local government and develop stronger relationships with key partners including police, social care, health and housing and of course, staff, their representatives and the public to deliver a service we can all be proud of.
Services will still be delivered from local stations by local firefighters and there should be no change to the excellent level of fire and rescue service provision and indeed we will be challenging the SFRS to improve where it can.
A national service will ensure that people across the country have access to services that are designed on the basis of local need with the support of national expertise and resources. 

Pat Watters CBE
Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board

ITINERARY

0930 Breakfast Reception
Training Centre,
Perth Community Fire Station

1000 Coach to North Inch

1010 Prevention & Protection display

1030 Response & Resilience display

1045 Media Interviews/Photographs

1100 Public engagement 

1230 Return to Perth Training Centre

www.firescotland.gov.uk

THEY DIED ON DUTY

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