The Staff are split over four watches (Red, Blue, Green and White) 1 Station Officer, 1 Sub Officer, 3 Leading Firefighters and 12 Firefighters working 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off. Water Tenders are normally manned 5 and 4.

Notes

OPENING OF NEW FIRE STATIONS

THE SPRINGBURN STATION 

The new fire stations erected at Springburn and Maryhill were formally opened yesterday. In both instances the establishments owe their origin to the extension of the city boundaries. The members of the Watching and Lighting Committee of the Glasgow Police Commissioners drove to the fire station at Springburn, leaving the City Chambers at one o’clock. They were met at the new premises by a number of citizens connected with the district. The buildings were designed by Mr A. B. M’Donald, city engineer, who gave effect in the plans to the suggestions of Captain Paterson, the city firemaster. As the result of their joint labours, a station has been provided in which, in the matter of arrangement, could scarcely be improved upon. The main building is four storeys in height, and is situated at the corner of Springburn Road and New Keppochhill Road. It provides dwelling accommodation for 10 married men. On the ground floor there is a hall in which a steam fire engine and a ladder and horse carriage are located, and ready for service at any moment. The stable, with accommodation for three horses, is built to the rear of the hall. The hall and stable are provided with Captain Paterson’s patent doors – a clever arrangement by which, on the bell being rung, the horses are instantly liberated from their stalls, and admitted to the hall, where the harnessing is accomplished with the utmost celerity. With horses trained to the work a turnout can be effected within 10 seconds. After the company had inspected the premises an exhibition was given of the operation of turning out with the steam engine.
This over Bailie Primrose called upon ex-Bailie Gray to declare the station open.
Councillor Gray, convener of the Watching and Lighting Committee, said the opening of that place was a natural sequence of the passing of the Boundaries Act, because it was rightly expected that when the measure came into force the Corporation would provide a proper fire service for the whole of the districts of the city. Their friends of the outside districts used to say that they were complete in every respect; but that was a fable. The city authorities knew better, and the outsiders came to know better also. They made a noble fight for independence; but had to succumb ultimately. The various committees of the Town Council were expected to do what was required of them. The Watching and Lighting Committee found that they did not require many additional police, the people in the outlying districts which were added to the city being exceedingly well behaved. They required a little additional light, and that was being gradually given to them. Rome was not built in a day. (Laughter.) They required most of all an efficient service for the protection of the inhabitants from fire, and the committee were there that day to open a station which was very much wanted, not only by the population, but by the important works in Possilpark and Springburn. Hitherto the men who were to be in that place had been stationed at St Rollox, which would now cease to be a separate station. The fire brigade service for the St Rollox district would now be supplied from the Central Station and also from this station. Of course, all this additional expenditure was somewhat serious. The expense used to be undertaken by the insurance companies themselves. They used to provide all the necessary equipment for the extinction of fires, and some people thought that they should do so still. They had an abundant income. Out of every £100 received in premiums £32 went for commissions and cost of management. Every community that had tried in Parliament to get insurance companies to continue their contributions for this purpose had always been thwarted. There were so many directors there receiving directors’ fees that the burden was still landed on the ratepayers. The Watching and Lighting Committee had been endeavouring for a series of years to perfect their system of fire supervision throughout the city. There were now district stations in the north, east, south, and west, well officered and well manned, and with a good supply of engines and plant. With these and the two stations to be opened that day, the Watching and Lighting Committee had done fairly well in the meantime. Still they would require to provide by and by for Strathbungo district. They had secured ground for the purpose. Possibly also it would be necessary to provide a better central station. These things remained in the future. There was no particular hurry for them, but with these two districts attended to the Committee were advised that the supervision for fire purposes would be complete. They could wait a little and have some respect for the pecuniary convenience of the ratepayers. (Applause.) In all their forward work the committee were greatly indebted to the wisdom of their chief …….ger, Captain Paterson. (Applause.) His great ……. as a…………into play in this de…indeed. The Fire Brigade had been greatly extended since Mr Paterson was appointed in 1884, Instead of 66 men they now had 108. The steamers had been increased from 3 to 10; and the stud of horses from 11 to 34. There were now 117 fire alarms as against 82, and 5278 hydrants or fire plugs as against 3562. (Applause.) There had within the last two or three years been spent on additional water supply for fire purposes £10,000. One half of that could be ascribed to the extension of the boundaries. They wanted to have, with due economy in the expenditure, the maximum of efficiency in the Fire Department, and he was sure the citizens would support them in the endeavour to have a fire brigade that would cope with any possible large fire that might break out in the city. That fire station, exclusive of the site, cost £4000. Speaking for the committee, he expressed the hope that in the future, as in the past, the Fire Brigade would be distinguished for alacrity, efficiency, and freedom from accident. (Applause.)
Bailie Morrin, in moving a vote off thanks to Mr. Gray, remarked that Springburn in the past had had some grievances, but these were gradually fading away. He referred to the interest Mr. Gray had taken in the finances of the city, and stated that while he had always an eagle eye for economy in administration, he never stood in the way when the necessity arose for spending money in connection with the department over which he so ably presided. (Applause.)
After refreshments had been served, the party drove to Maryhill.

THE MARYHILL STATION. 

The party afterwards drove to the Maryhill station. Having a larger site at their disposal here, the committee were better able to meet the requirements of the Firemaster. The fittings are very similar to those of the Springburn station, but as regards yard accommodation and space the conditions are more favourable. There are on the premises a steamer, a hose and ladder carriage, and two horses. The staff will in the meantime consist of six firemen. The station is a four storeyed erection, and besides having ample accommodation for engines, stabling for the horses, a workshop, hose drying tower, and a well-equipped lighting department, it has superior house accommodation for ten married men. Maryhill station is a substation to St George’s Road, which is also the centre for Hillhead. Upon an alarm being rung at either Maryhill or Hillhead, a steamer turns out and the alarm is transmitted to St George’s Road station, which dispatches are another detachment through the fire. Simultaneously the Central Brigade in College Street is appraised of the outbreak, and should the nature of the locality render such a course advisable the Central Brigade sends out a third detachment. The cost of the Maryhill station, exclusive of the site is £4500.
Councillor Gray, in introducing Baillie Primrose, convenor of the Fire Brigade Committee, said that he had a number of apologies for absence, including one from ex-Provost Stirrat, who was Provost of Maryhill prior to the amalgamation of the suburban burghs, Provost Stirrat was one of the first to acquiesce in the proposal to amalgamate with Glasgow, although, of course, he saw that very good terms were made for the burgh. He was sure it would be very gratifying to those who were interested in the locality to become acquainted with Bailie Primrose, who, in addition to his other qualities, was one of the most pleasing speakers in the Town Council. (Applause). To him there could hardly be a greater pleasure than to sit under some shady tree by the side of a running brook, and listen all day long to Bailie Primrose. (Laughter and applause.) Some of them wished to see the Bailie sent to St Stephen’s, but not yet, as they believed there was still a career of usefulness for him in the Town Council. (Applause.) Perhaps, when the House of Commons was fit to receive him, they would be glad to see him there. (Laughter and applause.)
Billy Primmrose said it gave him great pleasure to inaugurate that very beautiful sectional fire station. While in no sense extravagant in its proportions or equipment, he thought it would prove thoroughly efficient and minister properly to the wants of that important district. (Applause.) In his remarks at the Springburn station Mr Gray had said that a few years ago insurance companies bore the cost of fire extinguishing equipment for the city, and he hinted that perhaps that might have be a good plan yet. He could not share that view, because he felt that, as it was the duty of the Corporation to minister to all the departments of communal life – to make city life happy and comparatively healthy – so it was the communal duty to afford protection from fire. (Applause.) Mr Gray need not fear the commercial aspect of the question, because the Corporation, in making provision against fire, would unquestionably cause the rate to fall. The active competition between the many insurance companies, and the cutting down of rates, assured him that the commercial view of the case might well be left to take care of itself. (Applause.) No part of the civic service appealed more to the community than the Fire Brigade. (Applause.) In the chief of that brigade they had an officer efficient and well qualified, and who, whether they met him in ordinary garb or fighting the flames in the more heroic costume of helmet and of official coat, was characterised by devotion and thorough knowledge in the discharge of his duties. (Applause.) Captain Paterson had succeeded in making the Fire Department of Glasgow equal to that of any large city either in Europe or America, and in saying America, he appealed to a very high standard indeed. (Applause.) A month or two ago some of their friends from Kansas City who were in this country were unanimous and saying that for equipment, for perfectness of appliances, and for speed in turning out they had nothing to fear in rivalry with the best equipped brigade in the States. (Applause.) It was a matter of satisfaction to the citizens to know that if fire broke out while they slept, there was a well equipped service of sectional departments in every division of the city ready when the wild alarm sounded to come to their rescue and protection. (Applause.) That building was one of the sectional departments of that great service, and in declaring it open he expressed the belief that it would prove thoroughly adequate to the requirements of that portion of the city. (Applause.)
Councillor Clelland in moving a vote of thanks to Bailie Primrose, remarked that many were pleased to see among the company so many owners of large public works in the district. (Applause.) To them, he was sure, it would be a matter of special gratification to find that in Maryhill, they had the model fire station of Glasgow. (Applause.) It was to that station that Captain Paterson took the American Firemen to see what a fire station should really be. (Applause.) It must also be a matter for gratification to them to find this new order of things. The old Fire Department had passed away, and all things had become new. (Laughter and applause.) The man with the reel had disappeared, and would no longer be found at the coast when fire broke out. (Applause.)
Captain Paterson then conducted the party round the premises, pointing out the many features of interest, and explaining the working of the turning out apparatus. As regards the doors, which we are automatically opened by an ingenious arrangement, Bailie Primrose explained that they had been patented by Captain Paterson, and that a model of them was in the Fire Exhibition in Milwaukee City, U.S. He added that overtures had been made to the Firemaster to have the patent rights for the United States of America. (Applause.) The fire alarm was afterwards rung, and an exhibition turnout made. Everything passed off without a hitch. Within a very few seconds of the ringing of the bell, the steamer was careering along the street as if on its way to a fire. A visit was also made to that portion of the building set apart for the requirements of the Lighting Department. This department, in the matter of excellence and accommodation, is on the same scale as the rest of the premises.
This concluded the proceedings.
(Mail 23 August 1893.)

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