Latest news with #ScottishFireandRescueService
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Major fire sees Scots road closed as locals told to keep windows shut
Locals are advised to stay clear of the area BLAZE DRAMA Major fire sees Scots road closed as locals told to keep windows shut A MAJOR blaze has erupted in a Scots town this evening. Fire crews raced to the scene between Provost Craig Road and Swann Place in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, after the alarm was raised at around 5.40pm. 1 A large plume of black smoke seen rising above the town Credit: Fubar News / Facebook Images show a large plume of smouldering black smoke rising over the street. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sealed off the two roads. Locals are being urged to avoid the area, and nearby residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed. It is not known if anyone was injured in the blaze. A spokesperson for SFRS said: "Provost Craig Road and Swann Place in Ballater are closed due to a fire which was reported at 5.40pm on Saturday, 28 June, 2025. "Emergency services are in attendance. "Please avoid the area, if possible. "Nearby residents are also advised to keep windows and doors closed." Elsewhere, a frantic search has been launched for a paddleboarder who went missing at a Scottish loch. Emergency services were called to Loch Ore, within Lochore Meadows Country Park, Fife, on Saturday evening. Massive fire engulfs multiple cars outside major UK shopping centre Police said they had received a "report of concern" for a male who had been out in the water. A search for the man remains ongoing, with the help of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the coastguard.
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
18 fire stations across Scotland have no running water as firefighters treated with 'contempt'
The Scottish Conservatives described the situation for firefighters as 'intolerable'. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... SNP ministers have been accused of treating firefighters with 'contempt' after new figures revealed 18 stations across Scotland have no running water. The statistics, obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, come in the wake of proposals unveiled this week by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to close up to 13 stations due to funding cuts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 18 stations without running water are primarily located across the Highlands and rural areas, and include Cromarty, Foyers and Spean Bridge. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has launched a public consultation on proposals that could see up to 13 fire stations closed | PA The SFRS, which has seen its budget cut by £57 million in real terms over ten years, was criticised by the Health and Safety Executive earlier this year for the facilities at some stations. Colin Brown, of the Fire Brigades Union, said the service has seen year-on-year cuts to jobs and services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Decades of underfunding have left the Scottish fire service with a crumbling estate and an eye-watering £800 million hole in their capital finances,' he said. 'What we need is sustained investment in staff, stations and equipment to keep our communities safe.' Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey MSP said: 'These shocking figures are proof of the SNP's contempt for Scotland's brave firefighters. 'It's shameful and negligent that they are risking the health and wellbeing of dedicated emergency workers by denying them access to the most basic yet essential facilities at work. 'SNP ministers have been short-changing the service for years, leaving firefighters to do their job with one hand behind their back, jeopardising public safety. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'On their watch, the number of firefighters is plummeting, stations are being earmarked for closure and now we learn a growing number of bases lack running water. This situation is intolerable, unsustainable and could have devastating consequences.' Capital backlog of over £800m Assistant Chief Officer Craig McGoldrick, director of training, safety and assurance for the SFRS, said: 'It is well documented that SFRS has an insurmountable capital backlog of more than £800 million and that many of our ageing buildings require action. 'We can only address this by changing how we work. We're currently running a public consultation that outlines 23 options for change to help address urgent property issues and ensure our resources – staff, stations and appliances are matched to operational risk and demand across Scotland.' He added: 'The safety of our firefighters will always be a priority and it's important that our crews can shower and clean kit following attendance at an incident with potential contaminants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad '£3.2m is being invested by the service into the management of fire contaminants and this includes boosting our reserves of personal protective equipment, enhanced storage for contaminated kit and new laundry procedures. 'For the small number of stations without running water, specialist decontamination wipes have been provided.' A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Scotland's firefighters do an amazing job and the Scottish Government continues to support the SFRS to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe with an overall budget of £412.2m, an increase of £18.8m for 2025/26. Scotland continues to have more firefighters per capita than other parts of the UK. 'The SFRS has been clear that the changes proposed are not about cuts, but so it can adapt to the changing risks and demands of communities and ensure firefighters are in the right place at the right time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Frantic search for missing paddle boarder who vanished on Scots loch
Cops received a "report of concern" this evening 'REPORT OF CONCERN' Frantic search for missing paddle boarder who vanished on Scots loch Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FRANTIC search has been launched for a paddleboarder who went missing at a Scottish loch. Emergency services were called to Loch Ore, within Lochore Meadows Country Park, Fife, on Saturday evening. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Emergency services are looking for the missing man Police said they had received a "report of concern" for a male who had been out in the water. A search for the man remains on-going, with the help of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the coastguard. Visitors were urged to avoid the area. Loch Ore is a popular beauty spot, and used for leisure purposes, like sailing, paddle sports and open water swimming. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 5.25pm on Saturday we were called to Loch Ore Meadows, Lochgelly after receiving a report of concern for a male who had been paddle boarding. "Emergency services, including the coastguard, are in attendance and extensive searches are being carried out. "Enquiries are ongoing and we would ask people to please avoid the area if possible." The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed staff are also in attendance.
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
Tributes to 'dedicated' Scots firefighter found dead days after disappearance
Tributes have been paid to a 'dedicated' Scots firefighter who was found dead after going missing in England. The body of Richard Scott from Oban was discovered by police in Derbyshire on June 24. The 56-year-old had been reported missing on June 19, after leaving Chesterfield Hospital. Formal identification has taken his place, and there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. Scott joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in 2016 after serving nearly ten years as a firefighter in Humberside. He transferred to the wholetime crew at Oban Community Fire Station and in 2018 became a volunteer firefighter at Dalmally Community Fire Station. In 2022, he also served in East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute as part of the service's community action team. He was described as a 'professional and dedicated' firefighter and was well-liked and highly respected amongst his colleagues and friends. Flags are flying at half-mast at all SFRS sites as a mark of respect. Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service said on Facebook: 'It is with great sadness that we share the news that firefighter Richard Scott, who was previously reported missing, has tragically been found deceased. 'As a mark of respect, we have lowered our station flag. 'Our heartfelt thoughts and deepest condolences are with Richard's family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.' The Derbyshire Constabulary said: 'Officers searching for Richard, who was reported missing from Chesterfield, have found a body. 'His family are aware and our thoughts are with them at this time. 'A formal ID has taken place. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.' Another tribute read: 'It is with great sadness that we share, alongside our firefighter colleagues, the tragic news that Firefighter Richard Scott — previously reported missing — has been found deceased. 'Richard was not only a valued firefighter but also a proud former RAF serviceman. His dedication, bravery, and service to others will never be forgotten. 'Our hearts go out to Richard's family, friends, and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time. We stand together in grief and remembrance.' Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander Joe McKay said: 'Firefighter Richard Scott was a friend and valued colleague who served and protected communities across East and West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute area for around six years. 'We are profoundly sad at the news of his passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.' The Fire Fighters Charity said: 'Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Firefighter and RAF veteran Richard Scott and we send our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. 'While our flags will fly at half-mast in tribute, please know we are here if you need to talk – our confidential Crisis Line is open 24/7.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Cuts to the fire service in Scotland could cost lives, says union
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is proposing the closure of up to 13 stations, new arrangements for night and weekend cover at others and the permanent withdrawal of 10 appliances nationwide. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says wide-ranging changes to the fire service in Scotland could cost lives. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is proposing the closure of up to 13 stations, new arrangements for night and weekend cover at others and the permanent withdrawal of 10 appliances nationwide. Five stations in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Musselburgh could be shut down or merged. The 23 options, which were published on Wednesday, involve more than 30 fire stations in 14 local authority areas - and the service has warned that more change is likely in years to come. Senior officers have insisted that public safety will not be compromised - but the FBU has spoken out against the proposals saying the service is "already on its knees" after a decade of "real-terms cuts". FBU Scottish secretary, John McKenzie said: 'Our members and the Scottish public have suffered more than enough cuts to the fire service. 'For over a decade, real-terms budget cuts have increased risks to public safety, with firefighter numbers slashed and response times increasing as a result. The service is already on its knees because of these cuts. That has led to increases in response times and when this time is lost, tragically lives will also be lost. 'This is unacceptable and any proposals to further compromise our service and public safety must be rejected. What we need instead is more, not less, investment that takes into account new and emerging threats that our services and our members are having to deal with on a day-to-day basis. We need funding that enhances and improves public safety rather than worsening it.' In all, the SFRS has set out 23 different options for change across the fire service in Scotland, which it says is needed to match staff, stations and resources to 'operational risk and demand' across the country. The proposals also include plans to repair or rebuild stations in some areas, and transfer some staff and vehicles to 'more effective' locations. The consultation will remain open for 12 weeks, with the SFRS saying it wants 'as many people as possible' to submit their views on the proposed changes. Chief officer Stuart Stevens said: 'We have an opportunity for the first time since our national service was formed in 2013 to review how we provide our emergency service every minute of the day, every day of the year. Building a modern fire and rescue service that is fit for purpose is the reason we are bringing these proposed changes forward. 'We recognise that these 23 options represent a significant level of change. However, we have a duty to ensure that the right resources are in the right locations to meet new risks that exist within today's communities. 'We also need to spend public money wisely. We have a backlog of repairs in our buildings, fleet and equipment that would cost more than £800 million to address and this just isn't an option available to our service. 'Therefore, along with the need for sustained investment, we need to consider how we operate and reduce running costs for assets that are not serving our staff or communities. We must also be able to adapt to meet current and future risks, such as those posed by extreme weather events or wildfires.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The service said eight of the fire stations slated for closure have been 'long-dormant' due to recruitment difficulties for on-call firefighters in rural locations. Meanwhile, the five city fire stations had been identified as potential closures or mergers because of low demand, or because they are close to other facilities that SFRS said could provide effective cover. The proposals also include the implementation of a daily shift pattern for firefighters in some areas, which would see full-time staff work from 8am-6pm, supported by on-call firefighters outwith these times. They would be assisted by the creation of a 'nucleus crew' in two locations – Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire – which could be deployed 'tactically' across an area as required. Permanent solutions are also being proposed following the temporary withdrawal of 10 appliances in 2023, including in Perth & Kinross, Fife, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and Glasgow. Mr Stevens added: 'These options have been developed over many months involving staff, trade union representatives and other stakeholders. There will be a 12-week period to give people time to submit their views on the changes. We would encourage as many people as possible to participate in public consultation process.' Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: 'The emergencies the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responds to have changed, with fewer house fires and more wildfire and flooding incidents. 'It is right, then, that the service considers how to adapt to the changing risks to remain effective and efficient, with firefighters in the right place at the right time to ensure people and communities are protected.' She urged people to take part in the consultation 'so their voices are heard', but stressed: 'As ever, keeping communities safe will remain the SFRS's top priority, supported by substantial year-on-year budget increases from the Scottish Government.'
