New unit opened by Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade 1994.

The Major Incident Unit went on the run in September 2004? replacing the Heavy Rescue Unit and using the same call sign.

The Major Incident Unit carries the USAR equipment and the Mass Decontamination Equipment is kept in two containers in the yard and if required the USAR is taken off and the MDU put on. The MDU is apparently moving to Tollcross. (Sept 2007)

USAR training is done at Newcraighall on rigs at the foot of the drill tower. (Sept 2007)

The first appliance is one of the two Line Rescue Units in the Brigade. (Sept 2007)

A third bay was built to accommodate the pump from Marionville when it closed but this plan has been shelved.

Newcraighall had a call sign of 36 in Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, this was changed to K04, the new National Call Sign on 3/5/2017.

Newcraighall has a Foam Dump containing 2,000 litres stored 5 Lockers.. The ISU carries Foam, BA, Hose, Salvage Eqpt. (Mops, buckets, Aqua Vac), Air Shelter. The MIU carries USAR Eqpt.

In April 2023 Newcraighall was being re-furbished and the plan is that when that is done Liberton (which has an RAAC roof) will be demolished and a new station built on the same site. 15/4/2023.

Special Feature

Firefighters poised for alarm bells at Newcraighall
By Jim Keane 

<Photo> Pictured at the new fire station are, from left. acting firemaster Colin Cranston; Lothian Region Councillors Brian Fallon and Bill Axton (seated) and Duncan Brandon, director, property services. Scania L281NSC.
Building a new fire station on the site of an old coal bing is a concept which should have conservationists everywhere purring with the delight.
After all, the idea is almost the ultimate and recycling, with a huge red Phoenix, sirens blaring and lights flashing, rising from the dead, dark ashes.
But though the unusual shape of the Newcraighall Fire Station in Edinburgh might suggest it wouldn’t look out of place in mythology, it is very much for real.
It was built at a cost of just over £1.5 million, money which was raised by the Fire Board, on land originally purchased 12 years ago by Lothian Regional Council in connection with the Musselburgh Bypass.
Part of the acquisition included the Newcraighall bing, which was gradually razed to the ground though, in keeping with the times, it wasn’t simply “relocated” to become a blot on the landscape elsewhere. The majority of the bing was used in the construction of the embankments of the new highway and the coal slurry which wasn’t suitable for that was sold for power generation.
The present Kinnaird Park commercial and development complex now stands on the site and that generates an income of £600,000 in rent per annum for the council, which also had enough land available to overcome what could have been a thorny little problem when it was discovered a superstore was bang in the line of the new road. That was relocated at no cost. Still more land is on hand and in the future that will be used for “beneficial developments”
The building of new roads has always opened up commercial opportunities, but in the past it has normally been the private sector which has benefited most. This time however, it’s the public which will reap the rewards as a result of the work carried out by the Property Services Department of Lothian Region, whose baby the whole project has been.
They have been the people who have overseen the entire concept, offering their professional expertise, finding the site, carrying out design work, landscaping the site, controlling the cost and, finally, handing over the finished article to the Fire Board.
“The building is distinctive and attractive and will not only enhance the quality of the fire service on the east side of the city, but will add to the landmarks in the Craigmillar and Newcraighall area,” said Councillor Brian Fallon, chairman of the region’s properties sub-committee.
Lothian’s Property Services Department was formed three years ago when the estates and architects departments merged and the new fire station is considered to be a shining example of what the new department can achieve.
“I am pleased to have been of assistance to the Fire Service,” explain director Duncan Bradon. “Having all the required professional expertise within the same department has enabled to produce the best designed building on the perfect location at the optimum cost.”
The new station becomes fully operational on Monday, though drivers on the bypass and visitors to Kinnaird Park will already be well aware of the distinctive building in which it is housed.
The triangular site is bounded to the west by the bypass, to the east by the railway and to the north by Newcraighall Road, though the actual station itself occupies only part of the site. A brigade training centre and an operational support facility are also planned and, and once these are completed, the remainder of the land will be released for other developments.
The station has been built on a specially designed foundation to insure against any future ground movement in an area which in the past has been the subject of mine workings.
Firefighters were themselves involved in its design. They worked with the architects to ensure that as well as looking good, the station would function as efficiently as possible for the people at the sharp end – the men and woman working out of it.
Twenty-eight new jobs will be created at the station, most of them firefighters, but also in other areas of employment.
The need for a new station to cover the east side of the city was highlighted in a report undertaken by the Lothian & Borders Fire Brigade in response to Government disquiet over response times in the area, particularly in the giant housing scheme at Craigmillar. In general terms, when appliance should be at the scene of a fire within five minutes of the callout with two there within eight.
“It was a real problem and at some time in the future we would have reached the stage where lives were lost.” said Fire Board chairman Councillor Bill Axon, who added that the new station would not replace any of the existing ones, but would be supplementary to those at Liberton, Marionville, and Musselburgh.
Forty four people, working in four shifts of 11 will be based at Newcraighall which has been designed in such a manner as to enable the firefighters to be on their way to a callout within 30 seconds.
It has sleeping accommodation, showers, laundry, a drying area for uniforms, a study room, fitness room and recreational facilities
“The proximity to the bypass makes it a tremendous site and allows us to cover what has been a vulnerable area,” said Bell Axon. “All in all, it is a tremendous acquisition for the region.”
 <Photo> (of the rear of the station) Twenty-eight new jobs created at the fire station.
(The Scotsman, Thursday, 27 October, 1994. Page 8)

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Upgrades Newcraighall fire station with £2.5m investment 

Fire station refurbishment enhances firefighter welfare and safety
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has completed a £2.5 million refurbishment of Newcraighall Community Fire Station in Edinburgh.
The upgrades include improved changing, cleaning, and welfare facilities for firefighters, as well as dedicated areas for study and rest.
The new layout is designed to prevent the spread of fire contaminants by introducing specific areas for handling contaminated equipment.
Firefighters are also encouraged to shower within an hour of returning from incidents.
Investment supports modernisation of Scotland’s fire service
The refurbishment is part of a wider programme aimed at modernising fire stations across Scotland.
SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer (DACO) Andrew Girrity, who oversees service delivery in the East area, said: “This major refurbishment of Newcraighall ensures our firefighters have access to state-of-the-art facilities that not only support their wellbeing but enhance their critical work in keeping communities safe.”
The upgrades were completed ahead of schedule and are intended to meet the evolving needs of Scotland’s fire service.
Minister for Victims and Community Safety visits Newcraighall station
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown MSP visited the newly refurbished fire station on 27 February 2025 to review the improvements.
Siobhian Brown MSP said: “I was grateful for the opportunity to see the difference that this £2.5 million investment in modern facilities is making to firefighters at Newcraighall Community Fire Station.”
She also noted an increase in capital funding for SFRS from £43 million to £47 million in the 2025-26 Budget, which will support further investment in property, fleet, and equipment.
Future investment in fire stations across Scotland
The Scottish Government’s funding increase will allow SFRS to continue refurbishing and upgrading fire stations to improve firefighter welfare and operational efficiency.
Siobhian Brown MSP said: “I look forward to seeing more examples of how investment is improving facilities for firefighters as part of SFRS’s programme of fire station refurbishments.”
(International Fire & Safety Journal, February 28 2025, Iain Hoey)

Establishment 2007

Minimum crewing is 5 on WrL/Et and 2 on MIU.

Establishment 2023

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