J24 DUNBAR

1 Pump, Retained.

Stations

1948 Colvin Street, DUNBAR.
30/1/1958 Countess Road, DUNBAR. EH42 1DU              Photo

Firemasters

 

? to ? Sub Officer Robertson?
? to 1972 Sub Officer Alec Rammage
May 1972 to Sept 1979 Sub Officer Bill Low
Nov 1979 to Dec 1983 Sub Officer Andrew Smith
Jan 1984 to Mar 1992 Sub Officer Andrew Wallace
Mar 1992 to May 1993 Sub Officer Alec McIntyre
May 1993 to 30/11/2013 Sub Officer Kevin Blair QFSM (Watch Manager from 2006)
2013 to Watch Manager Ian Denholm (16/4/2024) Now called Watch Commander

 

Appliances

 

?   Shand Mason Manual P  *
1942? GLT573 Austin K2/Home Office/SEFB HrT
1958 RFS438 Karrier Gamecock/Carmichael WrT
? WFS12 AEC Mercury/Merryweather P
1974 CFS131L Bedford TKG/HCB Angus WrL
1982 RFS25V Dodge G1313/Angloco WrL
1986 D493BSC Dodge G13c/Mountain Range WrLR
2000 M134XSF Scania 93M-250/Emergency One WrL/ET
2007 SN04CMX Scania 94D-260/Emergency One WrL/ET
15/4/2024 SV65OYG Scania P280/Polybilt/JDC RP

* Preserved in Lothian and Borders Fire Museum in Laurieston Place, 2007.

Brigades

 

1941 to 1948 National Fire Service
1948 to 1975 South Eastern Area Fire Brigade
1975 to 2005 Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade
2005 to 2013 Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
1/4/2013 to Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

 

Notes

The South Eastern Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

  Equipment Retained
  1 Tender and Large Trailer Pump 1 Leading Fireman
    9 Firemen

Establishment 2000

 

Equipment

Retained

 

1 Water Tender Ladder

1 Sub Officer

 

 

1 Leading Firefighter

8 Firefighters

 

 

The extension to the station which was started in 28/9/1982 was Commissioned on 14/1/1984 and consisted of kitchen, female toilet, showers, rear entrance and two store rooms and drying room.

Watch Manager Kevin Blair was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in the New Year's Honours List 2014. Kevin Blair (55) joined the fire and rescue service 33 years ago and rose through the ranks to watch manager, a post he held for twenty years, at Dunbar retained fire station.  He has been directly involved in responding to some of the area’s major incidents including blazes which destroyed Dunbar Parish Church and the former Bellevue Hotel. Kevin is married to Lauren and has three children. He recently retired from the service due to ill health.

Dunbar had a call sign of 69 in Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, this was changed to J24, the new National Call Sign on 3/5/2017.

History of Dunbar Fire Brigade 1946–1984 

The old fire station was situated in Colvin Street, an old body building shop which belonged to a local joiner.
The Control Room was sited in a building some distance away from the Station, the premises being shared with the Local Authority who stored deck chairs and amusements for the East Beach.
The Call-Out System used was a siren and house bells which were controlled from the local Gas Works, it being the only place working 24 hours per day.
The training consisted of 2 hours, one night per week. There was no Training Officer at that time.
At country incidents, communications with the main control room was extremely difficult. To get to the nearest telephone box, passing cars and even bicycles were borrowed.
The fire appliance during this time was an Austin Van, known as an S.T.U. (Standard Towing Unit) and 2 Trailer Pumps. Personal equipment was 1 steel army type helmet, peaked cap, overalls, rubber boots, oilskin, leggings, tunic, belt and axe.
The present fire station Countess Road was opened on 30th of January, 1958. Modernisation came rapidly – firstly a new Water Tender with a portable featherweight pump, new rubber lined hose and alloy equipment which was lighter and easier to handle. Then came the two-way radio system. Breathing apparatus sets were issued.
Due to the increase of road accidents, hydraulic equipment was issued, this consisted of jacking and cutting gear. A portable generator for lighting and power tools were also supplied.
Work the new extension commenced on the 28th September, 1982 and has brought a new look to the Station with modernised Kitchen, Wash Room, Drying Room, Toilets and Showers. It is interesting to note that the cost of building the Station in 1958 was £4,829 compared to £30,944 for the extension.

DUNBAR EXTENSION

On Saturday, 14 January 1984 the Deputy Lieutenant of East Lothian, Colonel V. Cowley commissioned the new extension to Dunbar fire station.
<Photo> Left to Right Colonel Cowley, Fmr. Kerr and Chairman John Kelly pictured after the latter had presented Col. Cowley with a pen and pencil stand.
<Photo> Left to Right – Mr Ron Mountain, Director Mountain Range, Firemaster Kerr and Councillor John Kelly, Chairman Lothian and Borders are seen here at the official handover of four Water Tender Ladders at the Dunbar Extension Commissionery.
(Vulcan Magazine Spring/Summer 1984, page 14).

 

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

 

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