Considerable alarm was created in the town on Saturday evening shortly before 5 o’clock in the yard of Messrs George Cowie & Co engineers and sawmillers, Commercial Road, Buckie. It appears that as Saturday is half day, the staff had all left the works, Mr Cowie, himself being the last to leave about half-past 4 o’clock. At that time the only fire known to exist on the premises was that in a traction engine in the engineering shop for repairs, but no danger could be anticipated from that source, neither is the outbreak attributed to it, although the source of the fire is not known. The alarm spread with great rapidity, bringing crowds to the spot. Meantime telephone communication from the Police Office apprised the firemaster, Mr Budge, of the occurrence. He at once proceeded to the burgh stores and finding one of the men and the horses there, speedily had the latter yoked, and the hose reel on its way to the fire. Here it reached the Square, however, the forepart of the carriage gave way, and little wonder. Because of what should have been secured by a bolt through the framework had only been attached by some nails. The hose was finally taken in sections by means of the hand reel to the fire where it assisted in suppressing the flames.
(The "Banffshire Advertiser" May 31st, 1900)

Bailie Simpson’s idea that the Buckie Fire Brigade turn out occasionally for practice is not at all out of place. It would cost a few shillings occasionally, but proper and efficient organisation cannot be attained unless a duty is assigned to every man, and he does when the occasion arises.
(The "Banffshire Advertiser" June 21st, 1900)

Buckie Site For Fire Station 

An application by the North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board for a piece of ground at Newlands Lane, Buckie, for the erection of a new fire station was approved by Buckie Town Council on Monday.
Provost Dr Reid said he did not think the lane was broad enough for such a purpose, but both Treasurer Dr Cameron and the burgh surveyor, Mr John Murray, disagreed, the latter stating that there would be sufficient room if the entrance to the proposed station was set off  the road
(The Banffshire Herald, Saturday, July 16, 1955. Page 4)

Buckie’s New Fire Station Delayed 

Firemaster W. H. Woods, of the North Eastern Fire Brigade, told Buckie firemen on Wednesday night that Buckie would probably get its new fire station in the financial year 1962-63.
Firemaster Woods, who was visiting Buckie to present the Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to two members of the local crew, said it had been hoped to provide a new station this year but this had fallen through as they were tied by the amount of money available.
He paid tribute to the services rendered by the spare-time firemen who, he said, did an extremely good job of work for the public and he deeply appreciated the help given by employers in releasing the men during the day when alarm calls were made.
The two men honoured were the Station’s Sub Officer, Mr George Green, and a former Leading Fireman, Mr Lewis Barclay, who retired in 1959.
Mr Green joined the service 1939 and became a Leading Fireman in 1941. Since 1955 he has been in charge of the Buckie Brigade. Mr Barclay also joined in 1939 and in 1945 was promoted Leading Fireman.
Mr Woods was accompanied on Wednesday by deputy firemaster Mr. S. H. Park.
After dinner in the St Andrew’s Hotel, the firemen and their wives and partners, enjoyed a social evening.
(Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, March 21, 1961. Page 7)

Good News For Buckie Firemen 

<Photo> L. to r.: - Deputy Firemaster Mr S. H. Park, Firemaster W. H. Woods, Sub Officer George Green, and Mr Lewis Barclay with their Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.
Buckie will get its new fire station and a certain amount of new equipment in 1962-63, Firemaster W. H. Woods, head of the North East Firefighting Service, told Buckie firemen at a social evening in the St Andrew’s Hotel last Wednesday night.
Firemaster Woods, who addressed the men after presenting two of them with the Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, said that Buckie had very nearly got the new station this year but this had fallen through as the Fire Board were tied by the amount of money available.
“However,” he said, “you have something to look forward to in a comparatively short time.”
Touching on the larger picture, Firemaster Woods said that since 1953 the Board had built fifteen stations and four were meantime in the course of construction – Rothes, Aboyne, Insch and Ellon – while there was a big development scheme in Aberdeen.
Paying tribute to the part-time firemen in the service, Firemaster Woods had this to say: “We have over 500 of them in this area and they do an extremely good job of work for the public. In some places we wish we could get more of these men.
“I am gratefully indebted, too, to the employers for their assistance and co-operation in releasing the men from their work when the fire alarm goes.”
The two firemen honoured at last week’s ceremony were Sub Officer George Green, who has been in charge of the Buckie detachment since 1955, and a former leading fireman, Mr Lewis Barclay.
Mr Green joined the service in 1939 and two years later became a leading fireman, a post he held until his promotion to Sub Officer.
Mr Barclay also joined in 1939 and was a leading fireman until he retired from the service in 1959.
Firemaster Woods, who was accompanied by his deputy, Mr S. H. Park, later joined the local firemen and their wives and partners at dinner followed by a social evening.
(Banffshire Advertiser, Thursday, March 23, 1961. Page 1)

New Buckie Fire Station 

Plans for two new Banffshire fire stations were approved at a meeting of the North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board in Aberdeen on Thursday.
Buckie is to have a new two appliance station in East Cathcart Street, costing £17,325, and there is to be a new station at Tomintoul which will cost £11,000.
The Board approved estimates which show an increase of £50,000 over last year’s total expenditure. The estimate for the year ending May, 1963, is £280,000.
(Banffshire Advertiser, Thursday, May 3 1962. Page 9)

Big Day For The Firemen
New Station Opens 

The fire siren sounded its warning note in Buckie shortly after 3 p.m. last Thursday and out from the town’s ultra-modern fire station in East Cathcart Street roared a brand new, gleaming, silver fire engine.
But, on this occasion, there was no fire …. the “alert” and “action stations” merely marked the official opening and commissioning of the new fire station which came into operational use three months ago.
The magnificent new engine, with Sub Officer Geo. Green and members of the local detachment on board, swung into the station yard and proceeded to give the distinguished gathering present at the opening ceremony a display of firefighting drill including the lowering of a “body” from the drill tower.

THE 18TH

The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor George Roberts, Aberdeen, chairman of the North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board, who said that the new station, which had cost £18,000 to build, was the 18th new fire station to be opened by the Board since 1947.
Councillor Roberts, who was introduced by Provost Dr J. F. Cameron, Buckie, the chairman, paid tribute to the volunteer firemen who manned the appliances.
There were still a few vacancies to fill, he said, and he made an appeal to employers to allow their workers to join the Fire Service.
Councillor Roberts then pressed a button which set in motion a siren and the new premises, which incorporate a large garage to house the two appliances, watchroom, recreational room, kitchen and toilet facilities, stores, drill yard and tower, were officially declared open.

INSPECTION

Later, Councillor Roberts, accompanied by Firemaster W. H. Woods, Aberdeen, Mr J. C. Donnachie, assistant Firemaster, and Divisional Officer D. Macbeth, Elgin, inspected the Buckie crew.
Present at the opening ceremony were members of the Fire Board, representatives of Banff County Council and Buckie Town Council and local authority officials.
Earlier the company were entertained at a luncheon in the Commercial Hotel at which Provost George Wood, vice convener of Banff County Council and vice chairman of the Board, presided.

RADIO LINK

The new engine, which will become Buckie’s No. 1 firefighting appliance, is a Dennis Rolls Royce machine costing about £8,000 complete with equipment.
The engine, which is capable of pumping 700 gallons per minute, carries a 350 gallons a minute portable pump and also 400 gallons of water. The crew of five are accommodated in two forward cabins and the machine if fitted with a VHF radio link with Fire Brigade headquarters in Aberdeen.
The second appliance to be stationed at Buckie is the present No. 1 Dennis machine which has served to community for many years now. The old type fire engine towing the trailer pump has been withdrawn.
(Banffshire Advertiser, Thursday, April 23 1964. Page 1)

BEM For Buckie Fire Officer 

The long and notable public service of two Banffshire men, one in the field of firefighting and the other in that of health, has been recognised with the award, in the New Year’s Honours List, of the B.E.M. to Mr George Geddes Green, Buckie, and the M.B.E. to Provost George Wood, Portsoy.
Mr Green, who is a water officer on the staff of the burgh surveyor’s department of Buckie Town Council, joined the local Fire Brigade in 1938. He was appointed leading fireman in 1943, and served as such until his promotion in 1955 to his present post as Sub Officer in charge of the Buckie Fire Station.
Mr Green, who is 56. Lives at 60 Mill Crescent, Buckie.

PROVOST’S SERVICE

Provost Wood, who has been a Portsoy town councillor for about thirty years, and a member of Banff County Council for almost as long, is vice-convener of Banffshire.
He is chairman of Banffshire Hospitals Board of Management and also chairman of the North Eastern Fire Board.
Until he retired four years ago, Provost Wood carried on a fish and general merchant’s business in Portsoy.
<Photo> Mr Green, B.E.M. (Side on head and shoulders in Sub Officers fire kit)
(Banffshire Advertiser, Thursday, January 7, 1965. Page 1) 

Appointed Leading Fireman – Mr George Davidson, 129 Main Street, Buckie, who joined the crew of Buckie Fire Brigade four years ago, has been appointed a Leading Fireman.
(Banffshire Journal, Tuesday, August 27, 1968. Page 6)

KEYS TO NEW ENGINES 

Buckie Fire Brigade recently took charge of two new fire engines, with the keys being handed over by Mr Robert Brooks, from Grampian Region’s transport services department, and Mr Tony Turner, divisional officer in Elgin. Accepting the £55,000 vehicles is Mr Dennis Stead, station officer at Buckie, watched by Buckie firemen. The new machines, which are barely a year old, had previously been stationed at Grampian Fire Brigade’s Aberdeen headquarters. They incorporate the latest in high-tech fire fighting aids including lighter and more powerful portable pumps, powerful floodlighting equipment and high-pressure hose reels.
(Banffshire Advertiser, Tuesday, May 2^nd 1989. Page 10)

FIRE BOOST FOR TOWN

 Buckie took delivery of a new state-of-the-art fire tender last night.
The keys to the appliance were handed over to local councillors Bill Jappy and John Leslie, both members of Grampian Fire Board, by deputy firemaster Mike Morrice.
The new vehicle will replace Buckie's two existing fire engines. It can carry a crew of 10 compared to a maximum of six on each of the existing appliances. The engine is only the second of its kind to be brought into use in the UK.
The other also belongs to Grampian Fire Brigade and is based at Turriff
(Aberdeen Press and Journal. 18/6/2002.)

NEW FIRE ENGINE FOR BUCKIE

<PHOTO> At Buckle Fire Station for the recent launch of its new fire engine are (left to right) Frank Moran, representative for the company Scania who made the fire engine; Bill Jappy, Councillor for Buckle West; Sinclair Longmore, Councillor for Buckle East and Findochty; John Leslie, Councillor for Buckle Central, Dougie Annand, Buckle Fire Station Officer; Elaine Moran, wife of Frank who is originally from Buckie and John William, Grampian Firemaster.
BUCKIE Fire Brigade is delighted to have recently received a new highly-efficient engine. The two former six seater engines have been replaced by the 10-seater automatic beauty and a water carrier (tanker) for more serious fires is hoped to arrive by late August, to cover the area from Forres to Portsoy. Local Councillors John Leslie and Bill Jappy, members of Grampian Fireboard and Councillor Sinclair Longmore, depute to Bill Jappy on the board, were present at the official launch.
"It really is a lovely machine. I am confident that the 11.5 tonne stunner will do a marvellous job. The arrival has brought Grampian into the frontline with fire engines, as I believe they are fairly uncommon in the country at present. "It is nice to see Buckie is a step ahead with this £120,000 machine," said Sinclair Longmore.
<PHOTO> Robert Bowler (left) is presented a long service award from Bill Jappy, Councillor for Buckie West for his 20 years as a firefighter with Buckie Fire Brigade.
(Banffshire Advertiser,  2/7/2002. Page 7. )

The North Eastern Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948