* This appliance is for alternative manning only.

FIRST IN SCOTLAND?
Paisley May Have Two Platoons
When Paisley Corporation reassembles this month after the summer vacation, it will be asked by it’s watching and lighting committee to place the personnel of the brigade on the two watch system.
Paisley is the first Scottish local authority to proceed as far as this where conditions of service in the fire brigade are concerned.
In the event of the proposal being adopted, changes will be made in the plans for the new fire station contemplated by the Corporation.
(Fire, September, 1938. page 78.)

FIRST IN SCOTLAND
Paisley Adopts Two Shift System
As indicated in the September edition of Fire, Paisley has become the first Scottish local authority to place its fire fighting personnel on the two platoon basis. This fact has been well received by the general public, which realises the value of efficient fire protection, as well as by the fire brigade.
The change from the continuous duty system means an increase of personnel by one station officer and 12 firemen. Scale of pay remains unchanged, a rent allowance has been authorised, and there will be one day’s leave every week for members of the two watches, who are now free to live where they please within the town.
Only Chief officer Robert Bowman, Grad.I.FireE., and his deputy will continue to live in the fire station, which is being extended and reconstructed so as to provide three more run outs, new workshops, gymnasium, shower baths, and other amenities.
A Paisley correspondent writing in glowing terms of the Paisley Corporation’s decision states: “We Paisley people are very proud that our fire brigade is the first in our country to go on the two shift system. This serves to increase our confidence in the fire brigade and to emphasise the age old slogan of ‘Keep your eye on Paisley’ ”
(Fire, November, 1938. page 143.)

NEW FIRE STATION OPENED

Picture above shows the new building in Canal Street.
Paisley's new fire station in Canal Street was being officially opened today by Sir James Macfarlane, convener of  Renfrew County Council.
Built at a cost of £150,000, the three storey building replaces the old station at Gordon Street, which is to be demolished to make way for road improvements to the new bridge over the White Cart.
The Station, designed by county architect Mr Alexander Farquhar, has four bays which houses five appliances.
Above the appliance bays is a large recreation room, lecture room, officers' dining room, the main dining room and kitchen and toilet facilities. There is direct access to the appliance room by means of two separate pole drops.
Sleeping accommodation is also provided for the 41 firemen and officers and to the rear of the main building is a training room, workshop facilities and 60 foot training tower.
Below : Firemen demonstrate use of the turntable ladder, "rescuing" 19 years old Miss Linda McLay, of Barrhead.
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BACK IN TIME WITH THE TOWN’S FIRE-FIGHTERS

Special report by Pat Shearer

It was January 1677, when the first semblance of a fire brigade began to take form in Paisley following an instruction from Baillies and Council for the purchase of 24 leather buckets, six iron cleiks and two ladders.
Through voluntary contributions the 'brigade' flourished always on hand to dowse the flames when called upon, until 1733 when a great fire occurred in the town which was to mark yet another change in the structure of the service.
On June 2, fire broke out in a surgeon's shop in St Mirren's Wynd and spread very quickly to Causeyside Street into High Street from the Cross to the Old Bridge.
Around 400 people were rendered homeless out of a population of only 3,400.
Following this, what would probably be the first fire regulations came into force whereby house fronts were required to be constructed of stone instead of wood and roofs were to be covered with slate, tile, lead or stone and not thatch.
By 1760 Paisley had two fire engines and the council instructed that a larger machine with a leather pipe should be purchased in London, and shipped north by sea.
Almost 40 years later the Seedhill Mills were destroyed completely by fire despite efforts of the firemen to dowse the flames.
The following year it was resolved that no fireman should attend a fire without "a jacket, cap and badge' and that every engine should be cleaned by the men at least every 24 hours.
In order to encourage vigilance it was also agreed that five shillings should be paid to the crew of the first tender to attend a call and a subsequent half-crown should be paid for the second engine to arrive.
The first fire station in Paisley was in the Meal Market in Weigh House Close off High Street, where two manual fire engines were housed along with the other apparatus.
With the increase in machinery and the number of firemen growing, the engines were subsequently moved to premises opposite the prison at Gilmour Street. The Brigade by, 1883, consisted of Captain in charge, two sergeants, two corporals and eight firemen.
During this year there was a great fire at the Cross where three buildings were burnt to the ground and one fireman was killed by falling masonary.
Twenty years later the fire station moved to 32 High Street and had a compliment of 14 men.
<PHOTO> Ready for action... 1920s style. The men of Paisley Fire Brigade line up for inspection at the former station in Johnstone Street. (A TL and 3 Pumps, XS1234)
<PHOTO> Marching into the 1990's... firemen outside the Canal Street Station which opened 16 years ago. The Paisley Station has some of the most up to date fire fighting equipment available in the Region and holds one of the fastest turn out records of 45 seconds. (D192PGD, D549RGG, E144XDS.)

but the old principals still exist

In 1973 the West Area Joint Fire Station opened in Canal Street but two years later it was taken under the wing of Strathclyde Fire Brigade following regionalisation.
There are now 79 men in total including four station officers who are in charge of two shifts on a rota basis.
The fire service has come a long way from the leather bucket brigade and boasts three tenders and a turntable ladder machine although, in theory, the old principals still exist.
After each call-out the men are still required to clean their machinery and hang up hoses to dry in special drying sheds at the rear of the station. The machinery is much more sophisticated nowadays as almost every call requires the use of breathing apparatus, such is the content of materials used in modem homes and factories.
This equipment requires to be kept in tip-top condition and checked continually. Firemen are also required, after the basic 16 week training course, to undergo continuous updating in rescue practice, regularly attending courses on the latest toxic materials, first aid and fitness sessions.
Paisley over the years has experienced an increase in call-outs and is now one of the busiest stations in the district answering around 2,500 calls for assistance each year, compared to smaller stations where the average number of calls is in the region of 1,000.
As well as the customary staircase the station boasts the traditional poles which enabled the men to achieve a 45 second turn-out during the day and 90 seconds at night.
The Paisley station, as well as handling a full normal workload, are also on call 24 hours to provide valuable back-up service for the Airport Fire Brigade

Brigade’s worst tragedy – 70 children killed

In September 1877 Paisley Town Council appointed the first professional firemaster, Mr Arthur McNaughton, who was to give 45 years to the service.
By this time the fire station had moved yet again to Moss Street and the town saw the arrival of the first horse-drawn steam fire engine.
At the conclusion of the nineteenth century the new fire station at Johnstone Street opened to accommodate the steam engine, two pipe carriages and hand reel and at least four horses in stables.
The worst disaster in Paisley Fire Brigade’s history was on December 31, 1929, when smoke from a small fire caused panic at a children’s matinee show in the Glen Cinema at the Cross.
Seventy youngsters, aged from 18 months to 12 years, were crushed to death at one of the rear exits.
(The Paisley Post, Friday, January 20, 1989. Page 6.)

Hi-tech engines give firefighters an edge

By Jack Mathieson

<PHOTO> Members of the White Watch team at Paisley Fire Station take delivery of one of their new fire engines. With them are Divisional Commander John Martin and Sub Officer Steven McKay. (K374MYS)
Paisley has been given £140,000 worth of ammunition to fight the menace of fire. Two brand new fire engines have been delivered to the Canal Street station, one of the busiest in Scotland.
And in Strathclyde brigade’s ‘C’ division bosses are confident that the high tech vehicles have given local firefighters an effective new weapon.
Equipped with nine litre turbo charged diesel engines, they also have special gear which enables them to induce foam into the water supply.
One of the vehicles is also armed with improved warning devices which can more easily break into a motorist’s concentration.
Instead of two tone horns it has a range of sounds and tones, as well as a flashing light which strikes a driver’s mirror much more effectively.
"A fire station is operational 24 hours a day every day," said divisional officer George Kennedy.
"It has to be a place of high efficiency and sound morale and these new appliances will help with both these things. The men are very, very pleased."
The Paisley station is part of ‘C’ division, which also takes in Johnstone, Renfrew, Barrhead, Clarkston, Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock.
As the busiest of the stations, and indeed on of the busiest in the country, it was decided it would be the best place to deploy the new appliances.
The two which are being replaced – one of them has around 80,000 miles on the clock, the other slightly less – are being refurbished before being deployed at quieter stations within the division.
In their new roles they will be operated by part time crews.
Mr Kennedy said that the latest moves would further boost the efficiency of the Strathclyde brigade.
"We have the resources to tackle ant incident," he told the Paisley Daily Express.
"As well as fires we deal with chemical spills and road, rail and aircraft incidents – we have had them all.
"In theory we can put over a hundred appliances on a job."
(The Paisley Daily Express, 26/10/1992.)

There is now a Silver Helmet at Paisley Fire Station which belonged to Fireman James Mair, who was killed by a falling wall at a fire in Ferguslie Fire Clay Works on the 29th June, 1899. This helmet was used to collect money for Fireman Mair's dependants immediately after his death. (15/8/1999)

A report dated 14 November 2003 by the Firemaster was submitted on a proposal for the establishment of a Community Safety Education Centre at Paisley Fire Station. The project would convert an existing training building into a purpose built community safety facility which would consist of an experiential smoke room, mock hazard house, computer room and a multi- purpose lecture/meeting room. The main objective of the project would be to teach vital fire safety, social and life skills to children, young persons, vulnerable persons and high risk groups within the locality. It was also proposed that the facility would be a venue for a Fire Cadet Unit comprised of young people who would benefit from or who were in need of regular involvement and social interaction with others within a safe, disciplined but enjoyable environment.
The total capital project costs in 2004/2005 would amount to £197,540 and it was proposed that the project be funded as follows:-
                                                                Local Community Safety Group £25,000
                                                                Strathclyde Fire Brigade £30,000
                                                                Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) £142,540
Revenue funding in 2005/2006 was estimated to be £24,123. Provision had been made within the Board’s 2004/2005 capital programme for the Brigade’s involvement with the project, subject to the successful outcome of the SIP funding application.
The board decided subject to the successful SIP funding application for the establishment of a Community Safety Education Centre at Paisley Fire Station, that the £30,000 contribution from the Board’s capital programme for 2004/2005, be approved.
(Strathclyde Fire Board minutes, 9/12/2003.)

WESTERN FIRE AREA JOINT COMMITTEE

WAFB Badge

OFFICIAL OPENING

PAISLEY FIRE STATION

WESTERN FIRE AREA JOINT COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL OPENING
of

PAISLEY FIRE STATION

by
SIR JAMES W. MACFARLANE, D.L., J.P.
Chairman of the Joint Committee

WEDNESDAY, 28th March, 1973 at 2.00 p.m.

Chairman:
PETER MORTON, Esq.
Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee

WESTERN FIRE AREA JOINT COMMITTEE

Chairman:
Sir James W. Macfarlane, D.L., J.P.

Vice-Chairman:
Peter Morton

R. Armstrong                                        W. R. Lyle
J. M. S. Dale                                          I. Telford
G. T. Houston                                       R. Holmes
J. McGuire                                             G. Logie
R. N. Mitchell                                       M. A. White
D. M. Leith                                            Mrs. G. Murray
J. G. Mathieson                                    F. A. McGlone
E. F. Wyatt                                            J. Millar
J. G. Watson

Firemaster:
Robert Herbert, M.B.E.

Clerk:
R. C. Mitchell, B.L.
County Clerk

Treasurer:
James A. Reid, C.A.
County Treasurer

PROGRAMME

 1.            Introductory Remarks by Chairman
2.             Provost Smart of Paisley will extend Welcome
3.             Presentation of Long Service Medals              Sir JAMES W. MACFARLANE
4.             OFFICIAL OPENING OF FIRE STATION followed by unveiling of the plaque   
                Sir James W. Macfarlane, D.L., J.P. Chairman of Joint Committee
5.             Dedication            Rev. P. Houston Brigade Chaplain
6.             Presentations
7.             Vote of Thanks
8.             Film and Display

The Station is located at the corner of Canal Street and Camphill and replaces the former Station in Johnston Street which will eventually be demolished to make way for the new road network in the Burgh. It was designed by the County Architect of the County of Renfrew and built by John Dickie & Son Ltd., Thornliebank, on a several works contract basis at a cost of £150,000. Work started in August 1971 and was completed in October 1972, and — despite the industrial dispute in the building trade — was within the overall contract period.
The construction is traditional load bearing brick on a piled formation with pre-cast concrete floors. The roof is bituminous felt on reinforced wood wool slats on Metsec joists and the external finish is a black and white dry dash with timber fascia.
It is a four bay Station with the requisite ancillary accommodation plus a fire prevention section and an extensive breathing apparatus training area and a tower. The front appliance room doors are the up and over type are electrically operated from the watchroom and the appliance room. An oil fired low pressure hot water system supplies the full central heating in the Station.
The appliances are 2 Water Tenders, 1-100 ft. Merryweather Turntable Ladder, 1 Austin Hose/Foam Tender; and 1 Dennis F.8 Pump is used by the retained crew attached to the Station.
Establishment — 3 Station Officers, 4 Sub-Officers, 7 Leading Firemen and 41 Firemen.
Station Area — Burgh of Paisley.

CONTRACTORS

Several Works:
John Dickie & Son Ltd. Burnfield Road, Thornliebank

Architect:
A. Farquhar, A.R.I.B.A., F.R.I.A.S. County Architect, County Council of the County of Renfrew

Consulting Engineer:
Zinn, Hunter & Partners Park Circus Place, Glasgow

Quantity Surveyor:
Crawford, Ritchie & Partners High Street, Johnstone

Firemaster: Robert Herbert, M.B.E.

Gardner Printers, Paisley

             Fireman James Mair killed at a fire 1899