
On the 16th May 1975, as a result of Local Government reorganisation,
the Northern Area Fire Brigade along with seven stations from the Western Area Fire
Brigade and two stations from the North Eastern Fire Brigade joined together to form the
Northern Fire Brigade .This brigade provided fire cover to the Highland Region, Orkney
Islands, Shetland Islands and the Western Isles. In February 1983 to better reflect the
area covered by the brigade the name was changed to the Highland and Islands Fire Brigade.
The brigade covers an area of 12,000 sq miles which makes it the largest in Europe.
The Brigade is divided up into three Divisions, which are further divided to make a total
of ten Districts. Since Local Government re-organisation on 16th May 1996 the function of
the Brigade has been overseen by the Highland and Islands Fire Board which is made up of
sixteen Councillors from the Highland Council, four Councillors from the Western Isles,
two Councillors from the Orkney Islands and two Councillors from the Shetland Islands.
The Brigade has a policy of upgrading the Auxiliary Units to Breathing Apparatus status
and is currently upgrading ten Units per year.
Area Covered 12,000 Square Miles Population 280,000
The brigade consists of:-
1 Wholetime and retained station
2 three pump retained stations
11 two pump retained stations
20 one pump retained stations
59 mobile Auxiliary Units
34 non mobile Auxiliary Units
The establishment at the various types of units are:-
|
Type of Unit |
Station Officer |
Sub Officer |
Leading Firefighter |
Firefighter |
|
2 Pump Retained |
1 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
|
1 Pump Retained |
0 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
|
Mobile Auxiliary |
0 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|
Non Mobile Auxiliary |
0 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
There are 4 types of Auxiliary Unit:- Ultra Light Fire Appliance, Light Fire Appliance, Light Fire Appliance with BA, Midi Fire Appliance with BA.
Manning:-
46 Water Tender Ladders
4 Midi Water Tenders
42 Light Fire Appliances
6 Ultra Light Fire Appliances
1 Aerial Ladder Platform
1 Control Unit
1 Emergency Tender
1 Water Carrier
1 Foam Unit
The management Team consists of :-
1 Firemaster
1 Deputy Firemaster
1 Third Officer (Divisional Officer I)
3 Divisional Commanders (Divisional Officer II)
1 Senior Fire Safety Officer (Divisional Officer II)
1 Brigade Training Officer (Divisional Officer II)
The Personnel at 1999/2000 consisted of :-
150 Wholetime Firefighters
558 Retained Firefighters
882 Auxiliary Firefighters
49 Civilian Staff
Headquarters
16 Harbour Road, Longman West, INVERNESS. IV1 1TB.
Divisional Headquarters
| A Division | A6 | Fort William |
| B Division | B3 | Invergordon |
| C Division | C6 | Kirkwall |
| 1975 to 1976 | Firemaster Eric W MacIntyre, OBE, QFSM, MIFireE |
| 1976 to 1985 | Firemaster Bill Shand, QFSM, GIFireE (became a councillor and Chairman of the Fire Board) |
| 1985 to 1994 | Firemaster Donald Grant, OBE, QFSM, GIFireE (became Commandant at Gullane) |
| 1995 to 31/5/1999 | Firemaster Robert Gordon QFSN GIFireE |
| 1999 to | Firemaster Brian Murray QFSM BA(HONS) MA MIFireE |
| 1975 | 2000 | |||||
| A Division | ||||||
| A1 | INVERNESS | WT/RT | A1 | INVERNESS | WT/RT | |
| A2 | NAIRN | A2 | NAIRN | RT | ||
| A3 | GRANTOWN ON SPEY | A3 | GRANTOWN ON SPEY | RT | ||
| A4 | AVIEMORE | RT | ||||
| A5 | KINGUSSIE | RT | A5 | KINGUSSIE | RT | |
| A6 | FORT WILLIAM | RT | A6 | FORT WILLIAM | RT | |
| A7 | KINLOCHLEVEN | RT | A7 | KINLOCHLEVEN | RT | |
| A8 | MALLAIG | A8 | MALLAIG | RT | ||
| A51 | STRONTIAN | Vol | now Retained and new stn opened 30/1/1999 | A9 | STRONTIAN | RT |
| FORT AUGUSTUS | Vol | upgraded to Retained 1999 | A10 | FORT AUGUSTUS | RT | |
| A11 | NOT USED | |||||
| A21 | ACHARACLE | Vol | A21 | ACHARACLE | RT | |
| A22 | GLENBORRODALE | Vol | A22 | GLENBORRODALE | Auxiliary | |
| A23 | KILCHOAN | Vol | A23 | KILCHOAN | RT | |
| A24 | ARDGOUR | Auxiliary | ||||
| A25 | LOCHALINE | Vol | A25 | LOCHALINE | RT | |
| A26 | GLENUIG | Auxiliary | ||||
| A27 | FOYERS | Vol | A27 | FOYERS | RT | |
| A28 | EIGG | Auxiliary | ||||
| A29 | SPEAN BRIDGE | Auxiliary | ||||
| A30 | NOT USED | |||||
| A31 | DRUMNADROCHIT | RT | ||||
| A32 | DUNVEGAN | Vol. | moved to B Division (B53) | A32 | NOT USED | |
| A33 | NOT USED | |||||
| A34 | ARDGOUR | Vol | A34 | NOT USED | ||
| A35 | NOT USED | |||||
| A36 | NOT USED | |||||
| A37 | NOT USED | |||||
| A38 | NOT USED | |||||
| A39 | CANNICH | RT | ||||
| A40 | NOT USED | |||||
| A41 | NOT USED | |||||
| A42 | NOT USED | |||||
| A43 | MUCK | Auxiliary | ||||
| A44 | KNOYDART | Auxiliary | ||||
| A45 | NOT USED | |||||
| A46 | BEAULY | Vol | A46 | BEAULY | RT | |
| A47 | CARRBRIDGE | Vol | A47 | CARRBRIDGE | Auxiliary | |
| A48 | NETHYBRIDGE | Vol | A48 | NETHYBRIDGE | Auxiliary | |
| A49 | BOAT OF GARTEN | Vol | A49 | BOAT OF GARTEN | Auxiliary | |
| A50 | NEWTONMORE | Vol | A50 | NEWTONMORE | Auxiliary | |
| A51 | NOT USED | |||||
| A52 | NOT USED | |||||
| CORPACH | Vol | Started? | ||||
| KINLOCHMOIDART | Vol | Started? | ||||
| SALEN | Vol | Started? | ||||
| B Division | ||||||
| B1 | DINGWALL | RT | B1 | DINGWALL | RT | |
| B2 | FORTROSE | RT | B2 | FORTROSE | RT | |
| B3 | INVERGORDON | RT | B3 | INVERGORDON | RT | |
| B4 | TAIN | RT | April 2001 became C12 | B4 | Not Used | |
| B5 | ULLAPOOL | B5 | ULLAPOOL | RT | ||
| B6 | STORNOWAY | RT | B6 | STORNOWAY | RT | |
| B7 | BENBECULA | RT | ||||
| B8 | GAIRLOCH | B8 | GAIRLOCH | RT | ||
| B9 | KYLE OF LOCHALSH | B9 | KYLE OF LOCHALSH | RT | ||
| B10 | PORTREE | RT | B10 | PORTREE | RT | |
| B11 | BROADFORD | RT | ||||
| B12 | CASTLEBAY (Barra) | RT | ||||
| VATERSAY | Vol | Started? Merged with Castlebay 1994 | ||||
| B13 | NOT USED | |||||
| B14 | TARBERT (Harris) | RT | ||||
| B20 | TORRIDON | RT | ||||
| B21 | BAYHEAD | RT | ||||
| B22 | BERNERAY | Auxiliary | ||||
| B23 | CASTLEBAY | Vol. | Upgraded to Retained 1999 (B12) | B23 | NOT USED | |
| Was Balintore till April 2001 | B24 | NOT USED | ||||
| B25 | ERISKAY | Auxiliary | ||||
| B26 | LEVERBURGH | RT | ||||
| B27 | LOCHBOISDALE | RT | ||||
| B28 | LOCHMADDY | Vol | B28 | LOCHMADDY | RT | |
| B29 | NESS | RT | ||||
| B30 | SCALPAY | RT | ||||
| B31 | SHAWBOST | RT | ||||
| B32 | TARBERT | Vol | upgraded to Retained 1999 (B14) | B32 | Not Used | |
| B33 | VALTOS | RT | ||||
| B34 | GREAT BERNERA | RT | ||||
| B35 | SOUTH LOCHS | RT | ||||
| B36 | UIG (SKYE) | RT | ||||
| B37 | CROMARTY | Auxiliary | ||||
| Was Portmahomack till April 2001 | B38 | Not Used | ||||
| B39 | STRATHPEFFER | Vol | B39 | STRATHPEFFER | Auxiliary | |
| B40 | STRATHCONON | Auxiliary | ||||
| B41 | KINLOCHEWE | RT | ||||
| B42 | ACHILTIBUIE | RT | ||||
| B43 | APPLECROSS | RT | ||||
| B44 | AULTBEA | RT | ||||
| B45 | LOCHCARRON | RT | ||||
| SHIELDAIG | Vol | Amalgamated Torridon (B20) 2005 | B46 | Not Used | ||
| B47 | GLENELG | RT | ||||
| B48 | KYLEAKIN | Auxiliary | ||||
| B49 | RATAGAN | Auxiliary | ||||
| B50 | GLENDALE | Auxiliary | ||||
| B51 | STRUAN | Auxiliary | ||||
| B52 | MINGINISH | Auxiliary | ||||
| B53 | DUNVEGAN | RT | ||||
| B54 | RAASAY | RT | ||||
| B55 | WATERNISH | Auxiliary | ||||
| B56 | STAFFIN | RT | ||||
| B57 | SLEAT | Auxiliary | ||||
| SOUTH DELL | Vol | Started? | ||||
| C Division | ||||||
| C1 | THURSO | RT | C1 | THURSO | RT | |
| C2 | WICK | RT | C2 | WICK | RT | |
| C3 | DORNOCH | C3 | DORNOCH | RT | ||
| C4 | GOLSPIE | RT | C4 | GOLSPIE | RT | |
| C5 | LAIRG | C5 | LAIRG | RT | ||
| C6 | KIRKWALL | RT | C6 | KIRKWALL | RT | |
| C7 | STROMNESS | RT | C7 | STROMNESS | RT | |
| C8 | LERWICK | RT | C8 | LERWICK | RT | |
| C9 | BRAE | RT | ||||
| C10 | KINLOCHBERVIE | RT | ||||
| C11 | LOCHINVER | RT | ||||
| C12 | TAIN | RT | ||||
| C20 | EDAY | RT | ||||
| C21 | LONGHOPE | RT | ||||
| C22 | ROUSAY | RT | ||||
| C23 | SANDAY | RT | ||||
| C24 | St. MARGARETS HOPE | Vol | C24 | St. MARGARETS HOPE | RT | |
| C25 | STRONSAY | RT | ||||
| C26 | SHAPINSAY | RT | ||||
| C27 | WESTRAY | RT | ||||
| C28 | BALTASOUND | RT | ||||
| C29 | BETTYHILL | RT | ||||
| C30 | BRESSAY | RT | ||||
| C31 | FAIR ISLE | RT | ||||
| C32 | FETLAR | RT | ||||
| C33 | HAMNAVOE | Auxiliary | ||||
| C34 | HILLSWICK | RT | ||||
| C35 | MID YELL | RT | ||||
| C36 | MOSSBANK | Auxiliary | ||||
| C37 | SANDWICK | RT | ||||
| C38 | SCALLOWAY | Vol | C38 | SCALLOWAY | RT | |
| C39 | SUMBURGH | RT | ||||
| C40 | WALLS | RT | ||||
| C41 | WHALSAY | RT | ||||
| C42 | FLOTTA | RT | ||||
| Went Mobile April 2002 | C43 | BIXTER | RT | |||
| C44 | NORTH RONALDSAY | RT | ||||
| C45 | JOHN O' GROATS | RT | ||||
| C46 | FOULA | RT | ||||
| C47 | SKERRIES | RT | ||||
| C48 | DUNBEATH | Vol | C48 | DUNBEATH | RT | |
| C49 | LYBSTER | Vol | C49 | LYBSTER | Auxiliary | |
| C50 | TONGUE | Vol | C50 | TONGUE | RT | |
| C51 | ACHFARY | Auxiliary | ||||
| C52 | BONAR BRIDGE | Vol | C52 | BONAR BRIDGE | RT | |
| C53 | DURNESS | RT | ||||
| C54 | HELMSDALE | Vol | C54 | HELMSDALE | RT | |
| C55 | BALINTORE | Auxiliary | ||||
| C56 | LOCHINVER | Vol. | Upgraded to RT 1999 (C11). April 2001 now | C56 | PORTMAHOMACK | Auxiliary |
| C57 | SCOURIE | RT | ||||
| C58 | PAPA STOUR | Auxiliary | ||||
| C59 | PAPA WESTRAY | RT | ||||
| C60 | EVIE (Orkney) | Auxiliary | ||||
| M2UF | Control Room |
As a result of the Integrated Risk Management Planning Draft Review of the 32 'Non Strategic' Units in 2005, Shieldaig was amalgamated with Torridon which became a Retained Unit. The other 31 Units were classed as Auxiliary support to the Brigade adopting the role of a Community Response Unit (CRU), CRU dealing with Wildfires, CRU dealing with Wildfires and RTAs, and on the Islands a Base Level Unit. The other 61 Auxiliary Units (Mobile and Non Mobile) became Retained Units.
Offshore Firefighting in Highland and Islands Fire Brigade
Stations Built
Station |
Occupied |
Official opening |
| Nairn | 31/1/1984 | |
Dornoch |
|
10/9/1985 |
Bettyhill |
|
7/5/1994 |
| Sanday | 15/12/1994 | |
| Kinlochleven | 1996? | |
| Valtos | July 1996 | |
| Kilchoan | 1996/97 | |
Strontain |
|
30/1/1999 |
Fort Augustus |
|
27/3/1999 |
Kinlochbervie |
|
26/8/2000 |
Castlebay |
10/11/200 |
|
Tarbert |
15/6/2001 |
|
Lochinver |
|
2000 |
Applecross |
|
|
| Great Bernera | 25/5/2001 | |
South Dell |
|
14/6/2001 |
Fort William |
Nearly complete |
|
Beauly |
Nearly complete |
|
Achiltibuie |
Open |
|
Dunbeath |
Sept 2002 |
29/3/2003 |
| Drumnadrochit | Feb 2003 | 20/9/2003 |
| Papa Westray | Oct 2002 | 27/9/2003 |
| Sumburgh | Building | |
| Lerwick | 12/4/2003 | |
| Lochcarron | 13/5/2006 | |
| Lochmaddy | 4/2/2006 | |
| Durness | 18/3/2006 | |
| Shawbost | 27/4/2006 | |
| Mid Yell | 26/5/2006 | |
| Spean Bridge | 17/3/2007 | |
| Dunvegan | 24/8/2007 | |
| Fort William | Nov 2007 | 5/4/2008 |
| Beauly | 13/11/2007 | 19/4/2008 |
| Tongue | To get | |
| Rousay | To get | |
| Valtos | Oct 2007 | |
| Helmsdale | 6/12/2008 | |
| Carrbridge | 25/9/2009 | |
| Aultbea | 31/10/2009 | |
| Lochaline | In build 2009 |
News
The new station at Aultbea is to be Officially Opened on Saturday the 31st October 2009.
2/3/2009 John Davidson has been appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer, he has been with the brigade for eleven years. He started with Fife Fire and Rescue Service which he joined in 1980.
31/12/2008 Douglas Colin MacDonald, Watch Manager of the Community Response Unit at Carrbridge has been awarded the Queens Fire Service Medal in the 2009 New Years Honours List.
September 2008 Every Water Tender Ladder and Midi appliance will be issued with 6 lifejackets, each with a throw line and knife, and every Light Fire Appliance will be issued with 4 lifejackets, each with a throw line and knife
With effect of the 25th August 2005 the Brigade changed it's name from Highland and Islands Fire Brigade to Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service as instructed in the Fire Services Act (Scotland) 2004.
1/4/2005 All Auxiliary Units with the exception of the 32 under treat have been upgraded to Retained Status.
Deputy Firemaster Tony Munro is to retire on the 18th of March 2005.
Station Officer Gordon John Cook of Wick (C2) was awarded the M.B.E. in the New Year's Honours List 2005.
In his 2002 Report, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland said the Brigade could be covered by 95 Units and finance would only be given for those 95. This is a list of the 32 units which are now under threat of closure. LIST OF UNITS
Kinlochleven is to be reduced to a 1 Pump Retained station and a new
Retained station is to be built in the Ballachulish area.
(Fire Board Minutes 2001)
Fort William a 2 Pump Retained station is to get 1 wholetime crew on a 24 hour basis
manning 1 Water Tender Ladder and 1 Emergency Tender supported by 1 Retained crew.
(Fire Board Minutes 2001)
Notes
Until 1979 the post of Deputy Firemaster had a rank of Divisional Officer, Grade I, then the post was upgraded to the rank of Assistant Firemaster.
In 2001 Highland and Islands fire brigade had 1516 operational firefighters who each had a firefighting kit costing £552.25. This was made up as follows:-
| Helmet | £79.75 |
| Fire Hood | £13.65 |
| Breathing Apparatus | £748.00 |
| Firefighting Gloves | £9.34 |
| Torch | £14.00 |
| Fire Tunic | £130.00 |
| Overtrousers | £79.75 |
| Boots | £30.00 |
They above table doesn't add up to £552.25
MAIN INDEX 1975 INDEX Highland and Islands Fire Brigade Official WEB Site