Speaking ahead of the launch of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said has called on the SNP Scottish Government to guarantee that Scotland’s retained and volunteer fire services will not be affected following the formation of a single national fire and rescue service. Scotland currently has 241 retained fire stations, and 61 volunteer fire stations, largely based in rural areas.
Grampian Fire and Rescue has strategically located retained fire stations based at: Aberchirder, Aberlour, Aboyne, Alford, Banchory, Banff, Ballater, Balmoral, Braemar, Buckie, Cullen, Dufftown, Dyce (FT & RT), Elgin (FT & RT), Ellon, Fochabers, Forres, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Inverbervie, Inverurie, Keith, Kintore, Laurencekirk, Lossiemouth, Macduff, Maud, Oldmeldrum, Peterhead (FT & RT), Portsoy, Rothes, Stonehaven, Strathdon, Tomintoul, and Turriff.
Tayside Fire and Rescue has strategically located retained fire stations based at: Aberfeldy, Alyth, Arbroath, Auchterarder, Balmossie (FT&RT), Blairgowrie, Brechin, Carnoustie, Comrie, Coupar Angus, Crieff, Dunkeld, Forfar, Kinross, Kirriemuir, Montrose, and Pitlochry.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“There is an ever growing number of questions regarding the future of community based retained fire station under the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“Scottish Conservatives have raised a number of concerns with the SNP Scottish Government regarding the future of rural retained fire stations prior to the establishment of a single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. SNP Ministers have responded, simply stating that is an operational matter – not providing clear assurances over the future of Scotland’s retained fire stations.
“Under the SNP, several rural police stations have already been closed and sold off. With the SNP Scottish Government pressing ahead with the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, SNP Ministers must provide adequate assurances that the new structure will retain the current retained fire stations.
“Most retained fire stations are provided to meet the needs of emergencies in rural communities. There is therefore growing concern that the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service could look to close some of Scotland’s retained and volunteer fire services.”