Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Australia) News

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has reported nine attacks during eight hours. The attacks happened in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, and Blackburn in West Lothian, in the United Kingdom (UK). bonfire night There were no injuries reported to the crews involved however a fire appliance in West Lothian had a windscreen smashed by a brick and had to be removed from operational service. These attacks have followed four previously reported attacks on crews i...

Crews have been bombarded with fireworks, bricks and bottles after being mobilized to tackle a series of outdoor fires. This included twice on Monday night at Ardrossan in North Ayrshire followed by two further attacks in the Southhouse and Sighthill areas of Edinburgh on Halloween. Crews had to request the assistance of Police Scotland to provide an escort to enable them to attend and extinguish the fires. There were no injuries reported to the crews involved however a number of fire appliance...

The Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics 2022-2023, published (Tuesday, 31 October 2023), coincided with the Annual Performance Review (APR) held in Aberdeen. The figures show that more than half of all incidents were false alarms. Firefighters attended 4,305 dwelling fires, which is down seven percent from the previous year. Flooding incidents increased this year with 3,139 attended in 2022-2023, up from 1,617. The Minister for Victims and Community Safety, who attended the APR event, expressed...

Deliberate fire-setting in Scotland has reduced by more than a third in the period heading up to Bonfire Night. This is always the busiest time of the year for the emergency services in Scotland, which typically witnesses a spike in anti-social behavior. deliberate fire reduction However, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) figures show that since 2018, the number of deliberate fires in the three weeks before 5 November has fallen from 1,302 to 907 – a reduction of 35%.  This...

Firefighters are urging the public to stay away from flood waters and to follow evacuation advice as Storm Babet continues to cause life-threatening flooding across Scotland. A second Red weather warning has been issued by the Met Office covering the Tayside and Grampian regions from midnight tonight, Friday 20 October, to midnight on Saturday, 21 October. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has responded to almost 70 weather-related incidents across Scotland, including rescues from hom...

The Deputy Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Stuart Stevens has released a statement on the response to Storm Babet.  Stuart Stevens, Deputy Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said, “We currently have several resources committed to support evacuations and rescues in the areas most severely impacted by Storm Babet, which primarily includes Brechin and also other areas across Tayside and Grampian." follow safety ad...

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is recruiting for the next generation of 999 call handlers at its Operations Control site in Edinburgh.   The role of Firefighter Control is the first point of contact for members of the public who dial 999 to report an emergency. It plays a vital role in keeping Scotland’s communities safe and ensuring that emergency incidents are dealt with effectively and efficiently.   Firefighter Control staff Group Commander - Marie C...

Miriam Ascher, 26, says she never dreamt of becoming an emergency responder. She grew up in a small city close to the German capital of Munich, but a family holiday to Skye in 2013 set her on a different path. Having fallen in love with island life, Miriam took the decision to move to Skye in 2015 to work as an au pair and begin an online archaeology and environmental studies university course. It was a chance encounter with her postman, who also happens to be Watch Commander at the n...

After returning from the earthquake zone in Morocco, two firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service say the resilience and generosity of the people they helped will stay with them. week-long operation Dog handler Crew Commander - Gary Carroll, Search Dog - Coorie, and Watch Commander - Gavin Brown are back at work in Scotland, after a period of rest, following their week-long operation in the North African country. The trio joined the International Search and Rescue (ISA...

Most areas across Scotland have experienced heavy rainfall during the weekend, and with more rain predicted from the Met Office in the coming week, they are urging people to be mindful of the conditions.  The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) strongly advises against entering into flooded areas or playing in floodwater. Floodwater can be dangerous. They want to ensure the safety and the safety of their loved ones. Significant risks of Floodwater Floodwater poses significant risks:...

Firefighter Ryan Witkowski, who is part of the White Watch at Perth Community Fire Station, received a Brave@Heart award as well as the St. Andrew’s Award Medal for his part in rescuing eight people from a fire while he was off-duty. The event was held at Edinburgh Castle on Tuesday, 3 October, 2023. role as a firefighter After receiving the award, Firefighter Ryan Witkowski, said “It just felt normal to respond because of my role as a firefighter, but it was difficult for my...

Striking artwork showing Charles Rennie Mackintosh wearing firefighter gear has been donated to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Drew Carr, a Glasgow-based architect, has created a series of six paintings inspired by renowned street artist - Banksy, firefighters and the iconic architect - Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Assistant Chief Officer, David Lockhart thanked Drew for his donation at a presentation on Friday, 29 September, 2023, at Cowcaddens Fire Station. incredible efforts of firefig...

Firefighters remain at the scene of a major fire that broke out at the Station Hotel in Ayr on Monday evening. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was called to a fire at the Station Hotel at 5.37 pm on Monday, 25 September, 2023. At its height, SFRS mobilized fifteen appliances to the scene, where crews were met with a well-developed fire in a large derelict building. One fire appliance remains at the scene on Wednesday, 27 September, 2023. Trained Operations Control staff Area Comma...

Two firefighters and a search and rescue dog from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have joined an international team, as part of the UK Government's response to the Morocco earthquake. K9 handler Crew Commander - Gary Carroll and Coorie, based at Portlethen, have departed along with Watch Commander - Gavin Brown, based in Dundee, as part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team (ISAR) deployed to Morocco through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The UK...

Firefighters in Glasgow are the toast of Craiglang after rescuing a pair of stranded dogs from a deep-seated foxhole. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews from Castlemilk Community Fire Station were called on Monday afternoon to help free two small dogs who had become trapped after entering the large hole at the city’s Kings Park. Upon arriving, the firefighters, from Castlemilk's Red Watch, instantly recognized the animals' concerned owners as actors Jane McCarry and Mark Cox – w...

A team of youth volunteers from Dumbarton representing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has taken part in the Fire Cadet Games. The national event which included youth volunteers from Fire and Rescue Services all around the country, was hosted by Merseyside Fire and Rescue. The team from Dumbarton was commended for their performance, especially in the First Aid section of the competition. training college They spent a weekend in Liverpool where they se...

The Fire Safety and Organisational Statistics report shows 3,490 wholetime operational firefighters in 2022-23, compared with 3,530 the year before, around a one percent reduction. SFRS Interim Deputy Chief Officer and Director of People, Liz Barnes, said, “We are fortunate to have a wealth of experience in our workforce with over half of wholetime operational staff serving 15 years or longer." decrease in wholetime firefighters Liz Barnes adds, “The longer-term picture shows an o...

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 1.40 pm on Monday, 28 August, 2023, to reports of a fire at a commercial landfill site in Dunbar. East Operations Control mobilized resources to the scene and on arrival firefighters found a significant area of landfill domestic waste well alight. Until Tuesday, 29 August, 2023, at 5 pm, SFRS crews supported Valencia Waste Management staff who were using heavy plant machinery and on-site water pumps to extinguish the fire. Following a detailed...

The Scottish Government has provided funding of £56,000 to enable firefighters based in Scotland to participate in a UK-wide health screening program, which is being facilitated by the Fire Brigades Union and the University of Central Lancashire. Around 1,000 UK firefighters will take part in trials, which will include blood tests to look for early signs of illness and cancer and these trials will help to inform the evidence around potential future annual health screening arrangements. S...

25 August 2023 commemorates the 51st anniversary of the Kilbirnie Street fire, a tragic incident in Glasgow that claimed the lives of seven firefighters. On Friday, 25 August 1972, at 11.20 am, the Glasgow Fire Service dispatched crews to the Sher Brothers warehouse on Kilbirnie Street in response to an ongoing fire. Upon arrival, the firefighters were confronted with a vicious blaze that had engulfed the building. loss of all seven firefighters Tragically, Firefighter James Rook became trapp...

One of Scotland’s newest firefighters has told how he was inspired by the bravery of rescue teams after witnessing devastating earthquakes in South America. Cesar Colorado successfully completed his firefighter training with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), following a grueling 13-week training course. He graduated at a ceremony in Motherwell Civic Center on Friday, 18 August, alongside 44 new Wholetime Firefighters and three Operations Control Firefighters. Early fascination...

Watch Commander - Dave Farries QFSM, 70, first joined the South Eastern Fire Brigade in Edinburgh as a Junior Fireman on 19 August 1968. It was the start of an incredible career that has seen him dedicate his life to helping to keep local communities safe in the capital and throughout the east of Scotland. half-century of public service Dave’s over half-century of public service has included lengthy spells as a firefighter, instructor, and investigator and he was awarded the Queen&rsquo...

Crew Commander - Kevin Macrae, based at Port of Ness Community Fire Station, has been an on-call firefighter for nearly 25 years. He also runs his own business, Kevin Macrae Electrical where he employs three people. One of his employees, Alasdair MacLeod – is also an on-call firefighter - he’s a Crew Commander at South Lochs Community Fire Station. On-call firefighter role Kevin, who started his business 23 years ago, is always looking to promote the on-call firefighter role and w...

The crew at Dunvegan Community Fire Station on the Isle of Skye have recorded - 'Things Are Hotting Up', as part of a community album raising funds for the charity - Alzheimer Scotland. The song and accompanying music video offer a humorous look at their day-to-day lives. It was the idea of John Shurmer-Smith, a former international touring musician, who balances life as an on-call firefighter with supporting local community arts projects. on-call crew shortages John, better known by his stag...

Following a robust selection process, a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer has been announced at the North East’s largest fire and rescue service - Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS). Stewart Nicholson has been announced as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and will take up his post by November 2023. Stewart joins Tyne and Wear from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, where he has served as Deputy Assistant Chief Officer. He is the first s...

Cameron Carmichael became the milestone number when he donated his stem cells to help save someone’s life. The volunteer on-call firefighter is based at Kilmelford Community Fire Station near Oban, where he’s served for around 11 months. blood cancer charity Cameron Carmichael, 20, who signed up to the blood cancer charity’s stem cell register when he was 16, was surprised to discover he was a match for someone in need, and the 100th donor. He said, “It took a few days...

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is proud to announce that they have received the prestigious Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for their unwavering commitment to supporting the Armed Forces. This recognition is a testament to the dedication to ensuring those who have served, who continue to serve, and their families, are not disadvantaged in the workplace. Iain Morris is the SFRS Acting Director of Asset Management. SFRS Honored For Supportin...

A Commemoration Service has been held at the James Braidwood statue on Parliament Square in Edinburgh to pay tribute to fallen Firefighter - Ewan Williamson who lost his life in 2009. A minute’s silence was observed, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony involving members of Ewan's family alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Chief Officer - Ross Haggart. event attendees SFRS colleagues, representatives from the public sector, and charity organizations from across the cit...

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is consulting on two options: the reinstatement of operations and closure of the station. The public and stakeholders can take part between Monday, 10 July, and Friday, 18 August, 2023. The South Lanarkshire-based station has not been operational for more than eight years due to incident data, building maintenance issues, recruitment challenges, and best-value considerations, with nearby fire stations providing cover at this time. The lease of the bui...

The project has been created by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Forensic Services, as well as the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee and the Danish Police. The Joint Scottish Fire Investigation Training and Research Facility in Porthlethen opened on Wednesday, 5 July and will support forensic scene investigation techniques used by firefighters, police, and forensic services personnel. Implementation of...