Western Isles MSP makes case for Island fire stations

Western Isles  MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today written to the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Mr Trevor Johnson, regarding ongoing reports that the service will have to dip into its reserves to cover the cost of training and may look at closing some stations across the region.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“The Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service provides an essential service in the area and it is a service that the community values very much.

“We need a clearer picture of where the Chief Fire Officer believes there are training gaps in the service and how he intends to meet these. However, this shouldn’t come at a cost of closing stations; not least because the geography of the islands means that most stations are already some distance apart.

“Everyone needs to work together to ensure that any training gaps are filled, and that both full time and retained fire stations across the Highlands and Islands get the support they need. I have asked Mr Johnson for a meeting to seek reassurances about these issues and will continue to raise any concerns which individual communities may have. I am hopeful that there is a way through this issue, which I have already raised with Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham.”

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