The Angus Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1958

                                                Equipment                                                             Retained

                                                3 Pump Appliances                                              1 Station Officer
                                                                                                                                1 Sub Officer
                                                                                                                                2 Leading Firemen
                                                                                                                                16 Firemen

Establishment 2000

                                                 Equipment                                                             Retained

                                                2 Water Tender Ladders                                     1 Station Officer
                                                1 Road Rescue Unit                                             ? Sub Officer
                                                                                                                                ? Leading Firefighters
                                                                                                                                ? Firefighters

This was A05 until 28/6/2004 when it became Station 5 and on ?/12/2015 it became P29 with the introduction of the new National Call Signs.

NEW FIRE STATION
GARRISON ROAD SITE FAVOURED 

Provost Butchart reported to the Town Council on Monday that a Council sub committee had met representatives of Angus Fire Area Joint Committee to discuss Montrose’s new Fire Station.
The were told that plans provided for a three-bay station for equipment; a room for reports, recreation and lectures; shower baths, and a training ground. The sub committee was satisfied that economy would be exercised.
Regarding the alternative site at George Street, it was pointed out that this only extended to 900 square yards and was not sufficient for the minimum requirements. The site at Garrison Road was near factories having a high fire risk.
The detailed plans when completed would be submitted to the Town Council.
(The Montrose Review, Thursday, November 13, 1952. Page 4)

1953/54 Temporary garage erected adjacent to Fire Station to house the new Pump Escape. Station consists of part of a condemned building and a wooden shed.

1963 The Sub Officers who were Officers in Charge of Arbroath, Montrose, Brechin and Forfar were upgraded to the rank of Station Officers as provided for in the Brigade Administration Scheme.

Montrose firemen had a busy Sunday. About seven o’clock in the morning they were called out to Rossie Island, where fire burned a five yard long hole in the railway bridge.
In the afternoon they put out a grass fire on the South Links.
(Montrose Standard and Angus and Mearns Register, August 11, 1955. Page 5.)

Councillors climb on the fire engine 

The main doors of Montrose’s new fire station slid into the roof yesterday when Provost J. C. Cameron touched a button.
After the opening ceremony the Provost and other guests, including members of the Town Council, Angus Fire Area Joint Committee and Scottish Home Department representatives, climbed aboard the pump escape and water tender and were driven out into the road.
In addition to the main accommodation for the pump escape, water tender and standard towing unit and trailer, the £12,000 building has a control room and office, muster room, wash room, drying room and workshops.
There is also a training square.
Mr John M. Lawrie, chairman of Angus Joint Area Fire Committee, said buildings such as this were necessary for the protection of towns with a large agricultural area.
Provost Cameron said the authorities must realise the requirements in the event of another war. There must be accommodation for Civil Defence personnel and facilities to train them.
Firemaster Gibson proposed thanks and showed guests round the station.
(The Courier and Advertiser, Thursday, August 25, 1955.)

Fire Station 

Montrose’s palatial new £12,000 fire station was officially opened by Provost J. C. Cameron on Wednesday afternoon.
The station replaces the inadequate and antiquated one in Southesk Street, and has accommodation for three appliances, recreational room, control room and office, muster room, wash room and drying room.
The Town Council’s water service department is still housed in Southesk Street. Its removal, which has been discussed more than once, would enable the site to be cleared and used for housing.
(Montrose Standard and Angus and Mearns Register, August 25, 1955. Page 5.)

Provost Replies To Fire Station Critics 

“I fully appreciate that some people condemn this building and regard it as a sheer waste of money,” said Provost J. C. Cameron at the official opening of Montrose’s new £12,000 fire station in Garrison Road on Wednesday afternoon.
“We shall, however, always have with us those people who speak first and think afterwards.
“In planning of new fire stations authorities must show great foresight and visualise what will be required if we are ever faced with the tragedy of another war.
“There must be accommodation for the headquarters of the Civil Defence personnel, as well as facilities for training. To prevent war we must prepare in peace time, and there is no use having a strong front line if the defence of the civilian population is weak. A country is like a chain – every link must be strong if it is to last.”
The Provost said that the fire service personnel enjoyed very good terms and conditions, but if they were to have an efficient fire service they must have modern buildings and up to date equipment.
Congratulating the Angus Fire Area Joint Committee on the way the station had been planned, the Provost said it was a very fine scheme and an achievement of which they could be very proud.
Declaring the station open, he said it would be their fervent prayer that it would never be required in the event of another war, and that the brigade would have very few calls on their services.
Provost Cameron was introduced by Mr John M. Lawrie, chairman of the joint committee, who said that when they inspected the old fire station they realised there was a great need for a new one.
Such a building was necessary for the protection of Montrose and the valuable agricultural area around it.
During the past few months there had been a record number of calls on the fire service, and he welcomed the opportunity of expressing his appreciation of the excellent work done by the firemaster (Mr J. W. Gibson) and his staff. He particularly mentioned the men who manned stations like Montrose because they had to deal with agricultural and rural areas, where their task had been so much greater.
After Provost Cameron had pressed the button which opened the automatic doors some of those present had short trips on two fire vehicles which were driven by W. G. Stewart and T. Coull.
The company included town councillors and officials, members of the Angus Fire Area Joint Committee; Mr R. Lyle, clerk to the committee; Firemaster J. W. Gibson and members of the local brigade; and Chief Constable Andrew Meldrum.
Tea was served after an inspection of the premises and Firemaster Gibson gave a vote of thanks.
Messrs Burness & Son, Montrose, were principal contractors.
(Montrose Standard and Angus and Mearns Register, August 25, 1955. Page 5.)

NEW £15,000 FIRE STATION

Official Opening Ceremony By The Provost

COUNCILLORS FIRE ENGINE RIDE 

Montrose’s new £15,000 fire station at the old Barracks, near the harbour, was formally opened yesterday afternoon by Provost J. C. Cameron.
In addition to Government officials; members of the Angus Fire Brigade committee, there were also present Baillie Miss Glory Adams, Bailie Mrs Ann Baird, Dean of Guild A. C. Miller, Hon. Treasurer R. Baxter Taylor, and Councillors A. Taylor, R. B. Wyper, F. J. Caygill and Miss Marjorie Mitchell; the town clerk, Mr R. A. Barrowman, the town chamberlain, Mr J. G. Livingstone; the depute town chamberlain, Mr James Milne; the burgh surveyor, Mr James A. Graham; and the Parks and Gardens Superintendent, Mr R. Craig.

COST EXAGGERATED

Also present were ex Bailie John Pert and Mr C. Wilson, of Messrs Burness & Son, Montrose, the main contractors.
Mr John M. Lawrie, chairman of the Angus Fire Area Joint Committee, who presided, said buildings of this kind were costly but very necessary for the protection of Montrose and the large and valuable area around it.
He had seen a report, he said, that the cost of the new fire station was £30,000, but fortunately it was less than half that amount.
After the ceremony members of the Town Council were taken for a ride on the two fire engines and the company was entertained to tea.
Firemaster G. W. Gibson proposed votes of thanks.
(The Montrose Review, Thursday, August 25, 1955. Page 4.) 

Montrose fire brigade received their first call since the opening of their new station on Saturday, when they fought a grass fire at the aerodrome.
(Montrose Standard and Angus and Mearns Register, September 1, 1955. Page 8.)

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

Friday, August 31, 1855 

FIRE ALARM

An alarm of fire was raised last night at a little before nine. On proceeding to the spot we found that the fire was confined to an apartment in the lower floor of one of the filthy dens in Castle Street, in which there was very little furniture to feed the flames, which had apparently originated among some shavings below a bed.
The fire engine was immediately on the spot, but although the water was shut off from other portions of the town, nearly half an hour elapsed before a plentiful supply could be obtained. The fire being near the top of the Wynd, the whole of the cisterns, etc., on a lower level necessarily drew away the water from the fire plug. However the fire was got under before ten o’clock.
(Montrose Standard and Angus and Mearns Register, September 1, 1955. Page 2.)

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