Establishment 2000

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.