36. Volunteer Units.
It was reported by the Firemaster and noted that a new Volunteer Unit had been started at Lochearnhead and that new sheds for the storage of appliances had been provided at Kinloch Rannoch and Kirkmichael
(Perth and Kinross Joint Fire Committee Meeting 30/10/1960)

Call to disband ‘ludicrous’ unit at Lochearnhead 

The continuance of the “ludicrous” firemen’s unit at Lochearnhead was queried by Mr Ewen Cameron, hotelier, at yesterday’s meeting of Perth and Kinross Joint County Council.
Mr Cameron told the meeting that the unit was a waste of money. They had half a dozen men, who were semi trained, and their engine took about an hour to get underway and needed about three people to tow it.
By then, added Mr Cameron, the unit from Killin, seven miles away, had very efficiently put the fire out.
He suggested that the joint fire committee should “scrub” the Lochearnhead unit.
Chairman of the fire committee Mr John Kidd said all the county fire stations were manned by part time firemen, whom he described as the "backbone" of the service.
“If you have a fire” he told Mr Cameron, “I think we will usually deal with it pretty well.”
(The Press and Journal, Tuesday, May 22, 1973. Page 3)

“SCRAP LOCHEARNHEAD’S LUDICROUS FIRE STATION” DEMANDS COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Fire Chairman “caught with his knickers down”
By William Kemp 

Lochearnhead’s “ludicrous” fire brigade came under the lash from county councillor Ewen W. Cameron at Monday’s meeting of Perth and Kinross County Council.
Mr Cameron raised the matter as a comment on the report of the Joint Fire Committee, which is submitted to the County Council for information only.
He said:- “In Perthshire there are a few out of the way fire stations. We have one in Lochearnhead which is quite ludicrous.
“It has about half a dozen men who are semi trained. One is a milkman, two are shepherds. There is nobody ever there to get into action.
“It is actually in my own business car park – which is practically always full – in a lock up which I provide rent free.
“This engine takes about an hour to get out and under way. It needs three people to tow it, either manually or by attaching it to a tractor by tow-bar.
“They then have to get some chap to go over and say,” I will give you a hand, and if they ever get the engine out, the far more efficient brigades at Killin (7 Miles away), Comrie (12 miles), or Callander (14 miles) have already got the fire out.
<PHOTO> Mr Ewen Cameron (head and shoulders)
“To me it represents a complete waste of money. I think the Joint Fire Committee should look at these small, out of the way fire stations again and just scrap them. Could we have a reply from the chairman?”
The fire committee chairman, Mr John Kidd, Fossoway East, replied:- “Mr Cameron lives quite near a loch. He has got a few pails. Seriously – though I know he was talking half in fun – I would object to his version of the shepherds and ploughmen and milkmen and what not, because these are the backbone of the country and the rural fire service, and Mr Cameron should know it.”
Mr Cameron:- “If they are good shepherds they are not hanging about the fire station.”
Mr Kidd:- “All our country stations are manned by men such as these. I grant you we have no county fire station at Lochernhead yet, but we have one in Comrie, which is not 100 miles away.”
Mr Cameron:- “I think Mr Kidd has been here for about nine of twelve years and nobody has asked him a question. We have caught him with his knickers down. (Mr Kidd always wears the kilt at County Council meetings).
“I know we have very good fire stations at Comrie, Callander and Killin, and we don’t need ones like this. The firemaster at Lochernhead is the postman, who starts about eight in the morning and has to go to Balquhidder, and returns about six in the evening. If you have a fire you have got to plan it outwith these hours.”
Mr Kidd:-“I take it you want a fire station at Lochernhead?”
Mr Cameron:- “No, I don’t want money wasted.”
Mr Kidd:- “You will just have to take the same chance as anybody else. I will mention this in the proper quarter, and I will see if we can underline what you said and give you sleep at night.”
(Strathearn Herald, Crieff, Saturday 26^th May, 1973. Page 1.)

A site has been identified for the provision of premises, similar to that at Crianlarich for Lochearnhead, and purchase of this site is being pursued.
(Firemaster's Annual Report 1987.)

Lochearnhead has had no personnel or equipment since 1992.

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

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