Establishment 2000

Huntly had a call sign of 53 in Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, this was changed to R47, the new National Call Sign, when the Control at Mounthooly closed on 8/11/2016.

FIRE ENGINE FIRST FOR HUNTLY

<PHOTO> Huntly’s firefighters look on as deputy firemaster, David Dalziel, hands over the keys of the new engine to Councillors Joanna Strathdee and Willie Anderson.
HUNTLY’S retained firemen have taken delivery of a brand new fire engine and are the first rural station in Grampian to get a new vehicle in the Brigade’s new all white livery.
The Scania fire engine is one of five new vehicles being delivered to rural stations this year as part of the Brigade’s commitment to their retained firefighters.
The £150,000 Huntly machine was officially handed over on Tuesday night by the deputy firemaster, David Dalziel to Huntly’s two Councillors, Joanna Strathdee and Willie Anderson and the local crew who were undertaking their regular weekly practise and training session.
The vehcile has a nine litre, four series engine and has automatic transmission.
Grampian Fire Brigade has chosen white as the colour for all its new vehicles for maximum visibility.
White vehicles reflect 80% of the light making them highly visible whereas red is one of the least reflective colours.
Older vehicles which require bodywork will gradually all be resprayed in the white.
In addition to its gleaming white paintwork, the fire engine is fitted with a full length blue light bar at the front, has strobe lights and its rear is painted in flourescent, reflective stripes.
Assistant firemaster, Mike Morrice said that the high visibility vehicles were being strategically located and targeted at stations on trunk roads which deal with serious road traffic accidents.
The new fire engine is fitted with new ladders and pump and the hydraulic rescue equipment has all been refurbished to provide an appliance which is equal to any in the City of Aberdeen or anywhere in Grampian.
The new vehicle has a safety crew cab which gives added protection to firemen on their way to attend an incident.
The other engine based at Huntly will be replaced with a white vehicle in due course.
The water carrying vehicle currently based at Huntly is to be relocated and replaced with a rapid response rescue unit equipped with even more cutting and rescue gear than the new engine and capable of travelling in many directions from Huntly to attend incidents.
Currently, the Huntly station is two under strength which can sometimes affect the unit’s ability to respond.
Anyone over 18, male or female, can become a retained firefighter and for rural stations such as Huntly, it is helpful to work locally which enables firefighters to respond to day time incidents.
Local people will have an opportunity to see the new fire engine and the firemen in action at an open day being held during Huntly Gala on Sunday July 22nd.
(The Huntly Express, 1st June, 2001. Page 6.)

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