Establishment 2000

Minimum crew required for an incident is 4

Establishment 2018

Unit was formed on the 27th February, 1975.

April 2001 moved to C Division. Was B24 now C55.

With the new brigade structure introduced in the summer of 2003 the 3 Divisions were re-organised into 2 Commands North and South, Balintore was put into North Command. Call signs remained the same.

In the 2002 Report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland he said the Brigade could be covered by 95 Units and finance would only be given for those 95. Balintore is one of the 32 units which is now under threat of closure.

In the Integrated Risk Management Planning Draft Review of the 32 'Non Strategic' Units it is recommended that this unit should be maintained adopting the role of a Community Response Unit (CRU). The unit should be provided with a vehicle which in the future will be referred to as a Community Response Vehicle (CRV). It is recognised that there have been a number of Road Traffic Accidents in the immediate and adjacent areas. The role of the unit should incorporate the capacity to respond to road traffic accidents, forming part of the initial Pre Determined Attendance. A fully equipped appliance, as support, will continue to be part of the initial Pre Determined Attendance. The unit should be provided with appropriate equipment and training to allow members to effectively contribute to preserving life at RTA’s. The role of the unit should incorporate the ability to respond to forest, moorland and grassfires (wildfires). The unit should be provided with appropriate equipment and training to allow members to effectively contribute to wildfire firefighting. The area within which the unit responds to wildfires should be extended beyond the current unit area and be based upon a wider ranging ‘regional response’ proposal. In this role, the unit may be required to respond to wildfires occurring throughout the Brigade's mainland area. The unit should be provided with appropriate training to allow members to effectively deliver Community Fire Safety education/information. The unit will be classed as Auxiliary support to the Brigade and time worked will be paid accordingly. The unit has attended 120 incidents in the period 1/4/1999 to 31/8/2004. If a dwelling fire occurs an adequately equipped resource would attend from Tain within 12 minutes.

On 1st April 2005 along with 6 other Non Mobile Auxiliary Units and 1 Mobile Auxiliary Unit Balintore was classed as Auxiliary support to the Brigade with a role of Community Response Unit responding to wildfires and Road Traffic Accidents.

Balintore received their new motor on 4/5/2006 and went on the run responding to wildfires and RTAs.

31/12/2014 Crew Manager William Patterson received the Queen's Fire Service Medal for his exceptional service in Balintore.

Balintore had a call sign of C55 in The Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, this was changed to S61, the new National Call Sign, when the Control at Inverness closed on 6/12/2016 and moved to Dundee.

In January 2022 the station got a new electric bay door which seals perfectly and keeps the station warm and dry. This door also helps to reduce the stations carbon footprint

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