1/4/2011 the Level 2 Water Rescue response was moved to the new Clydesmill Station along with the High Volume Pump Pods.

The SEV tows a trailer with 2 PWCs or a Zodiac MKIII boat.

The first mention of a Fire Brigade in the town of Renfrew is on the 7th January, 1834. The Renfrew Town Fire Brigade was disbanded about January 1920, when fire cover was provided by the County of East Renfrewshire, which had it's Station at Darnley. The Firemaster was Mr. Charles Angus, who later became Firemaster of the combined brigades of East and West Renfrewshire. About 1939, it was agreed to recommend that the County Council and Town Councils of Barrhead, Johnstone and Renfrew accept the principle of entering into a General County Scheme whereby the Fire Brigades at Darnley and Johnstone would be under the control of one Committee which would serve the landward areas of the County and the Burghs of Barrhead, Johnstone and Renfrew.

A MODEL FIRE ENGINE 

The Ass was at Renfrew on Saturday, and assisted, together with the Provost and Magistrates of that Royal Burgh, at what was meant to be an imposing ceremonial – this being nothing less than the annual exhibition of the fire engine belonging to the Corporation. Had he not been made aware beforehand of the character of the machine, Asinus would have set it down as a “butcher’s hearse,” but when he was told it was a fire engine, he remarked “all right, go on with your show.” The Provost beamed approval at the remark, and the “show” proceeded. “See how she can do it,” exclaimed the “able and intelligent officer” in charge, as “swish, swash” resounded from the pumps when the handles had been worked up and down a sufficient number of times by the burly “brigade.” It was an exciting moment! The hearts of the municipality throbbed with wild exultation! Suddenly, however, not to say cruelly, a wet blanket was thrown over the exhibition. A too officious onlooker pointed out that “nae water was comin’!” This was too much! Dismay pervaded the entire municipality. Even the remark from a philosophic bailie, that “it would be a’ richt if the pumps were only ‘fanged’ on the mornin’ afore the fire” did not serve to restore the magisterial spirit. The assemblage dispersed sorrowfully and slow, the last echo heard by Asinus regarding the apparatus being, “She should be ta’en hame out o’ the caul’, an’ on nae account be sent to a fire, for if she wis she ran a chance o’ gettin’ burnt!” – Bailie
(The Greenock Advertiser, Monday, February 17, 1879. Page 4)

To return to Renfrew, there were two other fire units, one at the Lobnitz Work, this was a Merryweather steam engine, the other was at the Co-op, what type they had is not known. The Renfrew Town Brigade, had a Rose steam engine and the horses used to pull it were from Walter Johnston, carrier and undertaker, and on occasion the horses from the Cleansing Dept were also used. On one occasion it is known that the City of Glasgow Brigade attended in the Burgh.

The Burgh of Renfrew was covered by temporary premises in the Burgh of Paisley, Sandyford Fire Station was a four bay garage and two pre-fabricated huts. It was also the Training School of the Western Area Fire Brigade. 1949/50.

There was a Sandyford Fire Station, Paisley where drill competitions were held in 1952. This was a 1pump station covering Renfrew and was also the local training school.

A new fire station costing £80,000 is to be opened at Renfrew on November 26 by Dr J. Dickson Mabon, Under Secretary of State, Scottish Office. The area served by the new station stretches from Hillington Industrial Estate to Bishopton.
(The Glasgow Herald, Saturday, October 30, 1965 page 5b)

What a jolly affair the opening of Renfrewshire's newest Fire Station, at Porterfield Road Renfrew, turned out to be. With fire engines dashing about sounding off their new continental klaxons, the principal guests recalling their boyhood days, when they won badges in the Boys Brigade for firefighting and, the highlight of the proceedings, Dr Dick Mabon, Dr J W Macfarlane and Firemaster Joseph Hartil hoisted to dizzy heights in one of the new snorkel contraptions from the fire station yard.
The fire station-all £79,000 worth of it-had been scrubbed, polished, and preened until every last tile fairly sparkled. And with the fire crews standing by, Dr Mabon had high praise for all Renfrewshire firemen who risk their lives so frequently to save people and property. When he recalled that-as a lad-he had been one of the first to gain the Fireman's badge in the B.B., Provost Stephen Cameron who was to speak next, looked a little perturbed. It turned out that the Provost, too, had been one of the first to get the badge and had it all noted down as part of his speech. Dr J W Macfarlane-who presided-had to admit when his turn came that he could not compete. He had no fireman's badge at all.
After a long service medal had been presented to Sub Officer John Docherty, of 24 Durward Crescent, Foxbar,-who had been with the Paisley Fire Brigade for twenty years-Dr Mabon unveiled a commemorative plaque.
He had suggested, jokingly, that he would like to turn on a hose and baptise the station and he took most folk by surprise when he pressed the alarm bell. In less than twenty seconds two machines were manned and on their way in a spectacular dash from the front doors of the new building, round the block and into the yard at the back.
It was then that such items as the hose-laying machine and the giant snorkel were demonstrated.
<Photo> HAPPY FIREMAN Sub Officer John Docherty of Foxbar after receiving his Long Service Medal.
<Photo> HAPPY GATHERING Firemaster Joseph Hartil, Dr J Dickson Mabon, Dr J W Macfarlane and Provost Stephen Cameron after the opening ceremony at the weekend of Renfrew's new Fire Station at Porterfield Road.
( Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette, Friday December 3, 1965. Front Page.)

<PHOTO> Renfrewshire's newest £80,000 fire station in Broadloan was opened last Friday by the Joint Under Secretary of State, Dr. J. Dickson Mabon. In our picture, Dr Mabon (second from left) is seen standing on the new "snorkel" fire appliance with Dr. J. W. Macfarlane, chairman of the Western Fire Area Joint Committee (2nd from right), Mr Joseph Hartil, the Western Area Firemaster (extreme right), and the new appliance's demonstrator (left)
(Paisley Daily Express, Monday, December 6, 1965. Page 2)

The Western Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

Strathclyde Regional Council Police and Fire Committee approved disbandment of Retained Unit (No members) 14/8/1980.

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