In 1938 the Brigade had a Dennis Pump and when the pump went in for a service they borrowed the Burgh refuse cart, put the equipment on the floor, tied an extension ladder on top and towed a large trailer pump.

26/1/2016 was Station C1, New National Call Sign is M02.

Alloa’s £70,000 fire station opened
TOWN NOW IN FIRE-FIGHTING 1^st DIVISION 

<Photo> Councillor Kerr presses the button and four fire engines roar into action – at the fire station opening ceremony.
Passersby on the road to Clackmannan on Friday afternoon saw three fire engines and an emergency tender come dashing out of Alloa’s new £70,000 fire station. They weren’t on their way to some immense conflagration they were demonstrating that the new fire station was fully operational. Cllr Robert Kerr of Tullibody, having declared the station open, had just pressed the bell that sent them into action.
Mr James Thomson, Chairman of the Central Fire Area Joint Committee, welcomed the company at the start of Friday’s ceremony and said he was glad to see such a large turn out from other local authorities. Since the Committee took over in 1948 eight fire stations had been built in the Area. This showed that they were looking after the interests of the Area and providing proper facilities for the men on the brigades.
Mr Thomson took the opportunity to point out that the Central Government was giving the organisation more and more work to do – he instanced fire prevention, and the shops, offices and railways supervision.
“I don’t want to grumble, but if they are to be asked to give all those facilities then something has got to come from the central government, financially”. Costs had augmented very considerably during the past few years, and some of us, he said, were very dissatisfied with the 25 per cent grant. Now they were told that the grant was included in the Block Grant. “As Fire Authorities we should get to know what we are getting to run the fire service efficiently”.
Expressing his pleasure at seeing so many Firemasters present, he said this augured well for future co-operation.

EIGHTH STATION

The was the eighth new station and when the station they were building at Stirling (the last fulltime one) was completed they would go on with their programme of renewing the facilities in the stations manned by part time firemen “We can’t encourage part time men to come in unless we provide the facilities”.
You can’t expect men to work all day and then come in to a fire station with no place to sit down.”
County Cllr R. Kerr (who represents the area on the Joint Committee) spoke briefly, saying that he was highly appreciative of the honour which had been done to him. Having seen the old station in the Burgh Yard, he was more than ever amazed at the Brigade’s enthusiasm. Their enthusiasm and esprit de corps could not be increased in the new premises, but efficiency would be increased.
After declaring the buildings open, he pressed a bell which sent the three units and emergency tender into action, their blue lights flashing.
A telegram was then read from Provost Grant in hospital saying “Regret that I cannot be with you as your contractor – hope that you find everything satisfactory.”
Mr Samuel H. Park, Area Firemaster accepted the new station on behalf of the operational personnel. The Alloa personnel were definitely to be complimented on their spirit despite atrocious conditions which the Area inherited.
They were attending more fires every year in spite of the time and money spent on fire prevention. Happily they had been able to prevent several fires from becoming conflagrations. He hoped that the new station would further cut down the fire losses by improving the time of turn-out.
The station would be manned by 29 fulltime men and 17 retained men.
Firemaster Park paid tribute to the generosity of employers without which the retained men would not be able to leave their employment and attend at the fire station – “These employers are due a great deal of thanks from the service and the community as a whole”.
Among those present was ex-Firemaster James T. Davidson, and Firemaster Park spoke of the way that (having inherited practically nothing) he had decided that the replacement of fire stations was of primary importance. “He must feel very happy today”.
He thanked all the retained men, and added particular thanks to Sub Officer Lennon who had provided magnificent service at all times, having had the first 20 minutes of some serious fires to tackle.
He ended with a promise that they would do their best to make the best possible use of the new premises.

M.P. AND FIRE FINANCE

A well-rounded speech by Mr Arthur Woodburn, P.C., M.P. included a gentle reply to Mr Thomson’s remarks about finance; he recalled that when he was Secretary of State the local authorities had asked to take over the Fire Service – and had insisted on paying. And Mr Woodburn reminded the company that the man who pays the piper is the man who calls the tune. “If you want control, you have to pay for it”.
Mr Woodburn went on to speak of the history of fire from the days when the nastiest thing you could do to an enemy tribe was to put out their fires; and how smoking “for all it’s evils” enabled fire to be carried from place to place. Unfortunately some people use cigarettes and pipes to create fires; a great deal had been said about people burning out their lungs, but not so much about burning down in a night of a building that took ten years to build.
“It’s really frighting how careless people can be about crime, wars and fires” he said, and having developed the theme he summed up “We don’t want firemen to be fully employed – we don’t want nurses to be fully employed – we don’t want soldiers to be fully employed”.
He paid tribute to the service given by the Fire Brigades, very often a silent service; by their heroism and bravery they saved lives and property, but sometimes gave their lives in exchange.
“We ought to give them the tools to do their work most efficiently – it is a benefit not only to them but also to us”

INSPECTOR’S TRIBUTE

H.M. Inspector of Fire Services Mr A. D. Wilson expressed his pleasure at the greatly improved accommodation for the Fire Service in Alloa. It was the sort of station needed for a modern fire service to provide a base from which the firemen could go and fight fires.
He described the old station as “quite horrible” and wondered how the unit continued to be so enthusiastic – “It’s quite beyond my comprehension”. Their efficiency was bound to increase tremendously.
Dean of Guild Michael Kelly, Vice Chairman of the Central Fire Area Joint Committee, proposed the votes of thanks. He was, he commented, glad to see Alloa promoted to the First Division of firefighting.
After the function the company had the opportunity of inspecting the premises, then were the guests of the County Council for a cup of tea.

THE NEW STATION

Begun in February, 1962, the New Station took 21 months to erect and cost £70,000.
On the ground floor accommodation includes a 4 Bay Appliance Room and Covered Wash, a fully equipped Watchroom, Administrative Offices, Muster Bay, Locker Room and Ablutions. On the upper floors there are Recreational and Dining facilities and special rooms for lectures and meetings. Sleeping accommodation for 25 men is provided on the top floor.
At the rear of the Drill Yard there is a Hose Tower with Hose Stores and workshops.
Special features of the New Station are the large Covered Wash at the rear of the Appliance Room where vehicles can be washed and cleaned under cover and the facilities for drying hoses in all weathers by means of a 60’’ aerofoil fan mounted at the top of the Hose Tower.
The Firemaster has asked us to pass on to our readers a cordial invitation to go and see through the new Fire Station. Between now and Sunday, members of the public will be made welcome and shown round.
(Alloa Advertiser, Friday 24^th January, 1964. Page 7)

The Central Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

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