Establishment 2000

                                                            Equipment                                             Wholetime                                             Retained

                                                            3 Water Tender Ladders                     4 Station Officers                                 1 Sub Officer
                                                            1 Aerial Ladder Platform                     4 Sub Officers                                      2 Leading Firefighters
                                                            1 Control Unit                                     8 Leading Firefighters                           7 Firefighters
                                                                                                                       46 Firefighters

 The Wholetime Establishment is split over 4 watches of 1 Station Officer, 1 Sub Officer, 2 Leading Firefighters and 11 Firefighters (Red, White, Blue and Green) working a 2 days, 2 nights, 4 days off rota which gives an average of 40 hours per week. And 2 other firefighters somewhere.

Establishment 2017

 The Wholetime Establishment is split over 5 watches of 1 Watch Manager, 2 Crew Managers and 5 Firefighters (Red, White, Blue, Green and Amber) working a 2 days, 2 nights, 4 days off rota which gives an average of 40 hours per week.

There was submitted a letter, of 11^th current, from the Town Clerk of Falkirk, offering, on behalf of said burgh, the sum of £100 for one of the steam fire engines now discarded by the department, and the Town Clerk reported that after conference with the convener and the Chief Officer the said offer had been accepted, and the engine dispatched to Falkirk. APPROVED.
(Glasgow Watching and Lighting Committee’s Minutes, 13^th March, 1912. Page 983)

NEW FIRE STATION 

The erection of a new fire station at Grangemouth Road, Falkirk, to serve the Falkirk and Grangemouth areas, was mentioned in a letter from the Clerk to the Central Fire Area Joint Committee, and referred to in a minute of the Park and Property Committee. The letter was in reply to a request from the Council that facilities for part time personnel at the local fire station should be improved. The Clerk to the Joint Committee stated that permission to proceed with the erection of the new fire station was expected within the next few months, so it was not proposed to improve facilities at Grangemouth.
(The Falkirk Herald, Wednesday March 7, 1951. Page 5)

A new fire station to serve Falkirk and Grangemouth and the eastern district of Stirlingshire was officially opened at Falkirk yesterday by Mr George McLaren, chairman of the Central Fire Area Joint Committee. The station which cost £32,000 to build, will be known as the east fire station. It displaces two existing stations in Falkirk and Grangemouth, concentrating under one roof the three separate detachments of the service. Mr McLaren said that it was proposed to continue the building programme by erecting new stations at Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton, Larbert, Clydebank and Alloa.
(The Glasgow Herald, 4th March, 1955. Page 9.)

FALKIRK’S £32,000 FIRE STATION

Mr. George McLaren, C.B.E., County Convener and Chairman of the Central Joint Area Fire Committee yesterday afternoon officially opened the new Fire Station in Grangemouth Road which will serve both Grangemouth and Falkirk. The new premises have been built at an estimated cost of £32,000 and are among the first in Scotland to be authorised since pre-war days.
One of the main factors in securing this priority was the very large risk which is experienced in Grangemouth with so many industries dealing with highly inflamable materials.

MOST MODERN

The Depot is a great improvement on the previous accommodation which the Fire Brigade have had to use and the most modern improvements of design are incorporated. The four main exit doors can be opened within three seconds of a button being pressed at the telephone switchboard. This board is a masterpiece of skill and ingenuity and incorporates several ideas of the Firemaster, Mr. J. T. Davidson, O.B.E.
Where premises have automatic alarms installed these alarms also set a bell ringing in the switchboard and an indicator shows which firm is affected. A further indicator shows if the alarm is due to a line fault or an actual fire. The possibility of human error is eliminated.
There are 32 men on the strength working a 10 hour day shift and a fourteen hour night shift. The men’s dormitories are on the top floor and combine comfort with utility in a most satisfying fashion.

IN SIXTY SECONDS

Deputy Firemaster J. D. McNicol, M.B.E. told a Falkirk Mail reporter this week that on an alarm being given the men can dress and man the appliance within sixty seconds using the traditional pole to reach the garage.
An up to date kitchen (including a refrigerator), an attractive dining room and a spacious recreation room with all the usual facilities are also provided. Drying rooms and lockers also provide amenities which the men have not been enjoying before and the general feeling among them is that a great improvement has been effected.
A high standard of workmanship has been shown in the construction and local contractors taking part were George Campbell and Son, Falkirk (plumbing) and The Falkirk Glazing Co., Ltd. (glazing).
Among those present at yesterday’s ceremony were Sir Charles Cunningham, Secretary to the Scottish Home Department; H. M. Inspector of Fire Services, Mr. A.D. Wilson; Provosts R. H. Watson and J. J. S. Binnie; Bailie J. Middlemass and representatives of other local authorities in the Committee’s area.
(The Falkirk Mail, Friday, 4th March 1955. Page 2.)

NEW FIRE STATION AT FALKIRK
Modern Features Will Increase Efficiency 

“Bells go down” was the signal given at the new fire station of the Central Area Fire Brigade at Grangemouth Road, Falkirk, on Thursday afternoon. Mr George M’Laren, C.B.E., chairman of Central Fire Area Joint Committee, pressed the alarm bell, and in response to the summons the firemen tumbled down the “pole” from their living quarters to the muster room, manned their machines, and within 23 seconds the fire engines were out of the building and proceeding at speed down the Grangemouth Road.
This trial was an effective demonstration of the way in which the new station – to be known as the East Fire Station – has been designed to facilitate the work of the firemen and to enable them to get to the scene of an outbreak as quickly as possible.
Built at a cost of £32,000, the station represents the first real attempt in the Central Fire Area to site a fire station to the best possible advantage, ignoring entirely burgh or parish boundaries. It is designed to cover and give equal service to Grangemouth and Falkirk burghs and to all parts of Eastern Stirlingshire.
The previous fire cover in the territory was provided by a full-time detachment stationed at Burnbank, Blainsford, Falkirk, and by two part-time retained detachments, who turned out when fire calls were received, one being stationed in Grangemouth and the other at Newmarket Street, Falkirk. The new fire station has been designed so that all those detachments can be brought together under one roof, and the existing premises closed as fire stations. This will help to solve problems of the organisation.
None of the displaced stations conformed to modern standards, and none had proper accommodation for modern fire appliances and facilities for the men in the way of, baths, drying places for wet clothes, hot water, etc.

OPENING CEREMONY

There was a large and representative gathering in the fire appliance hall for the opening ceremony. Ex-Provost James Thomson, Kirkintilloch, vice-chairman of the Central Fire Area Joint Committee, presided, and was supported on the platform by, amongst others, Mr George M’Laren, C.B.E., chairman of the Joint Committee; Sir Charles Cunningham, K.B.E., C.B., C.V.O., Secretary to the Scottish Home Department; Mr Malcolm MacPherson, M.P. for Stirling and Falkirk Burghs; and Mr A. J. Smith, the architect responsible for the new fire station.
In his opening remarks, Mr Thomson extended a welcome to those present. He said that seven years ago when the Central Fire Area came into being they had fallen heir to a very poor selection of fire appliances and a very mixed bag of fire stations. Some of them were poor and some of them were very poor.
Despite the pride that most people took in their local fire brigades, it was early realised that the fire stations were far short of what modern standards required, and it became apparent that a large building programme was necessary. It was decided to arrange this building programme in accordance with the fire risks involved, and the new station at Falkirk had taken first priority in the area. They had built the Falkirk station, taking due regard to the living conditions of the firemen, because they realised that if they were to encourage men to enter the service they must provide them with the best possible conditions.
Mr Thomson said they could not fail to pay tribute to their Firemaster Mr James T. Davidson, who had organised the area on most efficient lines and had carried on the work with signal success despite the adverse circumstances under which he and his staff sometimes laboured.

GOVERNMENT GRANT

In declaring the station open, Mr George M’Laren referred to the circumstances under which the Central Fire Area had come into being, and said that the regional organisation had been forced on them by sheer necessity.
He went on to say that the fire service in this country suffered a disability which was not melted out to other public organisations, for, on their expenditure, the fire services were only allowed a 25 per cent, Government grant. The contrast was shown by the fact that for new schools the Government gave a grant of 60 per cent. He considered, however, that the Joint Committee had spent their money wisely and well.
The new Falkirk station was admirably sited between Falkirk and Grangemouth – the two great industrial centres of Stirlingshire – and there was also easy access to the other parts of the eastern district of Stirlingshire.
Referring to the fact that the Central Fire Area comprises the counties of Clackmannan, Dumbarton and Stirling, and the burghs in these counties, including such large centres as Clydebank, Dumbarton, Falkirk and Stirling. Mr M’Laren said that their responsibility stretched from then Forth to the Clyde, and at both ends of the area the fire risks were very considerable. It had, therefore, been necessary for the Joint Committee to plan on a long term basis to meet these fire risks, and their building programme, of which the station at Falkirk was the first fruit, would also involve the building of new stations at Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton, Larbert, Clydebank and Alloa. They hoped as they went along to improve conditions very considerably throughout the extensive area, and he was sure that members of the public would agree that a real attempt was being made to improve firefighting efficiency and at the same time to give the officers and firemen much better conditions.
The policy, he said, would inevitably lead to an increase in the fire service rate, but if they considered what was being done to protect the people and their property he thought all would agree that the expenditure was fully justified. He thought the necessity for a highly developed and efficient fire service was apparent to every reasonable man and woman.

GOOD BEGINNING

Sir Charles Cunningham congratulated the Joint Committee and the Firemaster on the completion of their fine new fire station. The Home Department, he said, had a very close interest in the fire service, and it was a real satisfaction to see that the new fire station at Falkirk had been built on such acceptable lines and with such excellent accommodation for the firemen.
“This station,” he added, “is in a way symbolic of what we have to do for the fire stations throughout Scotland.” It was only in 1938 that the local authorities in Scotland had been put under the Statutory obligation to provide a fire service in their area, and it was only now that they were beginning to make some improvement. It was satisfactory to see such a good beginning in the East Stirlingshire area.
Mr A. J. Smith, on behalf of the contractors, then presented Mr M’Laren with a wrist watch as a memento of the opening of the new fire station, Mr M’Laren suitably acknowledged the gift.
Thereafter, Mr M’Laren pressed the fire alarm bell to signify that the Station was in operation, and the firemen responded to the call by going out on a trial run. The guests were then given an opportunity to inspect the premises, and were entertained to tea in the refreshments room.

MODERN FACILITIES

The new fire station incorporates most of the ideas which experience of life in the fire brigade has proved to be essential. The heating system is so arranged that there is always an ample supply of hot water even if the firemen are out of the station for long periods at fires, and there are baths to enable the men to get rid of the soot and dirt which they inevitably work in at fires, and to try to prevent chills as a result of wearing soaked clothing for long periods at fires. There is also a drying room for drying wet clothing, and a locker room which the men can keep spare clothing.
The messroom incorporates an up-to-date kitchen where the men can prepare meals. A special feature is that the messroom and recreation room can be made into one by a collapsible partition to enable instructional films to be shown, lectures to be given, or for social functions.
From the dormitory and the recreation room the usual firemen’s poles are installed. These drop down into the muster room, where all the men’s fire kit is hung up. These poles used to be called “greasy poles,” and at one time they were made of brass and had to be polished. The modern poles in the new station, however, are made of stainless steel.
The dormitory provides sleeping accommodation for all personnel likely to be on duty during the night shift, and had been designed to do away with the normal “barrack room” atmosphere.
Office accommodation is provided for the station officers and the general administrative work of the station. The station watchroom houses all the communications network and electrical equipment. On the left-hand side of the switchboard are all the controls for the electrical equipment of the station – lights, fire bells, opening of the appliance room doors electrically, etc. The centre portion contains the telephone switchboard, and on the right-hand side are the terminal points for the automatic fire alarms which come from various large industrial works in the area direct to the station. There is also a public address system, controlled from the watchroom, over which can be broadcast to all parts of the station the address of the fire and all necessary instructions.
On the wall of the watchroom is an illuminated map of the whole district on a large scale and with the National Grid reference system. On the other wall is a board which indicates the number of men who are on duty, together with notes regarding others absent on leave, sick or off duty, appliances “on the run,” etc.
A yard is provided at the rear for the washing of appliances and fire hose and for the drilling of the men. A special feature is that floodlights are provided to enable work to be done and drills to be carried out even during the hours of darkness.
The station sets a new high level for the conditions of the men and the maintenance of appliances, and will certainly result in increased efficiency. It is hoped that the better conditions will attract more recruits for the Auxiliary Fire Service, now that facilities do exist for their training and welfare.
(The Falkirk Herald, Saturday, March 5, 1953. Page 7)

FIRED UP ON VISIT TO OPEN STATION

Falkirk’s impressive new fire station was given the royal seal of approval this week when Princess Anne was guest of honour at the official unveiling of the £2.4 million facility.
Central Scotland Fire Brigade’s station at Westfield became operational just days before the Princess Royal’s visit on Monday.
But she must have left suitably impressed after a whistle stop tour of the plush new premises conducted by Firemaster Ian Adam.
The Princess, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant, Lt. Col. James Stirling, was greeted by Falkirk Provost Dennis Goldie, Falkirk Council chief executive Mary Pitcaithly and George Matchett, chief superintendent at Central Scotland Police, as well as a proud Mr Adam.
Her Royal Highness, wearing a dark navy coat and gloves to protect her from the biting cold and rain, met guests, including councillors serving on Central Scotland Fire Board, the architects and contractors behind the station, firefighters and station personnel.
She braved a brief downpour for an inspection of new and old fire engines. The brigade has a preservation society which collects and maintains veteran appliances, some dating back as far as pre-war.
The Princess was shown the station’s state of the art training facilities before unveiling a commemorative plaque in the appliance room.
The Princess told the audience of invited guests she hoped the station would serve the community for many years to come and paid tribute to the work of the fire service locally.
Mr Adam presented her with a bronze statue of a Victorian firefighter saving a young female life, before Graeme High School’s head girl Erin Lee handed over a bouquet.
Outside, the Princess met three of Erin’s schoolmates, alongside children from nearby Victoria Primary.
Erin said the Princess had expressed an interest in what the teenagers were planning to do when they left school next year.
Before leaving the station, the Princess spoke to part time firefighter Katrina Syed, a local stonemason responsible for designing and producing the commemorative cover for a time capsule.
Both schools will be making contributions to the capsule which is to be buried outside the station in the near future.
The brigade has moved to the new two storey building from its previous base in Grangemouth Road, Falkirk, which is now up for sale.
Mr Adam said later: "We were pleased that the Princess, who is held in such high affection and respect for her work in the Falkirk area, honoured us by agreeing to carry out the opening ceremony.
"Her visit was a great occasion for the brigade."
<PHOTO> A historic day for Firemaster Ian Adam as Princess Anne opens Central Scotland Fire Brigade’s station in Falkirk.
<PHOTO> NOW OPEN: Princess Anne admires the plaque marking the official opening ceremony at Westfield.
There were other photos of people being introduced to the Princess.
(Falkirk Herald, Thursday September 30, 1999. Page 2)

1897/98 1 Superintendent, 1 Captain and 9 Firemen. Station in Newmarket Street.

1913 1 Firemaster, 1 Captain and 9 Firemen. Station in Newmarket Street.

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.

MAIN INDEX                         1975 INDEX                         CENTRAL SCOTLAND INDEX                        SFRS EAST SDA STATIONS