Port Glasgow's new fire station at East Bay Industrial Estate became operational yesterday. A three bay station, it replaces the brigade's old premises in Anderson Street.
Facilities in the new building include a hose and drill tower and a breathing apparatus chamber.
"It's a tremendous improvement over the premises from which we have had to operate for so many years," said Mr R. Herbert, Western Area Firemaster.
SEPTEMBER OPENING
The new station will, it is anticipated, be officially opened by Mr Joseph Hartil, former firemaster, late in September or early in October.
To mark the occasion, a trophy or plaque will be presented by the Town Council. Arrangements for this have been left in the hands of Provost Alex. MacLean and Hon. Treasurer Andrew Ballantyne.
Among the advantages of the new station are vastly improved catering and recreational facilities.
LONG OVERDUE
In addition to its retained unit, under the charge of Station Officer James McCallum, the service'' has 23 personnel on which to draw.
Mr Herbert described the new premises as "something which is long overdue in Port Glasgow, and which is in keeping with the standard of other stations throughout the county."
(Greenock Telegraph, 8th July, 1969 Page 7)

<PHOTO> Mr Joseph Hartil unveils a commemorative plaque at Port Glasgow's new Fire Station. Watching are Dr. J.W.Macfarlane and (right) Provost Alex Maclean of Port Glasgow.
Port Glasgow's new Fire Station was officially opened yesterday afternoon when the Commandant of the Scottish Fire Service Training School, Mr. Joseph Hartil, unveiled a plaque at the station.
Chairman of the Western Fire Area Joint Committee and Convener of the County, Dr. J.W.Macfarlane, said: "This is the 14th station to open in the Western Area since 1948, and the ninth since 1964. This is a great feat."
Mr. Hartil, former Area Firemaster, said: "Now is the time to get down to the task of preventing fires in Scotland. More than 800 lives are lost through fire every year, and there is a loss of over £1,000,000."
"We firemen," he added, "have reached a standard today to enjoy the respect of the public."
SERVICE MEDALS
Rev. Peter M.Houston, the Brigade chaplain dedicated the new fire station.
Long Service awards were presented to: Divisional Officer J.McLaren, Paisley: Station Officer G.Boyack, Johnstone: Station Officer M.Mitchell, Paisley: Sub Officer C.Miller, Darnley: Leading Fireman W.Kemp, Lamlash: Fireman C.Hughie, Paisley: Fireman J.Henderson, Greenock and Fireman R.Lloyd, Greenock.
At the finish of the official opening, firemen gave a display of rescuing a man from a burning tower using their Snorkel.
(Greenock Telegraph, Thursday 2nd October, 1969 Page 8)

1939-1989

Prior to the outbreak of World War II, there was a considerable lack of uniformity about the nations fire defences. There were professional and partly professional Brigades: Police Brigades; Fire/Ambulance Brigades; Insurance Brigades; Works Brigades; and Brigades maintained by private individuals. Some were wholly volunteer, some part-time, and some manned on a full-time basis.
In Renfrewshire there were originally five separate Fire Brigades, namely, Greenock, Paisley, Gourock, East Renfrewshire and West Renfrewshire.
At the commencement of World War II, The Fire Service was nationalised. In 1941 the five Renfrewshire Brigades were amalgamated into the substantial Western No.2 Area of the National Fire Service. This area comprised the seven counties of; Renfrew, Argyll, Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkubright, Wigton and Bute. Mr Robert Bowman, Firemaster of the Paisley Fire Brigade was appointed Fire Force Commander.
Port Glasgow's first established fire station was situated in Anderson Street (adjacent to the Port Glasgow Cleansing Dept/Esso garage). As the photograph shows, the men who served there had few training facilities and enjoyed little in the way of home comforts.
In 1947, the Fire Service was de-nationalised by Act of Parliament, and control passed to the Local Authorities. Western No.2 Area was disbanded, and Mr Bowman became firemaster of the newly-formed Western Area Fire Brigade. Under his jurisdiction came the counties of Renfrew, Argyll and Bute, and the large burgh towns of Paisley, Greenock and Port Glasgow.
During the fifties, the original Port Glasgow Fire Station was extended and refurbished. Legend has it that the fire authority purchased a glass conservatory roof from a mansion in Ayrshire, then transported it to the 'Port' where the firemen converted and built the two-bay appliance room (the appliance being the vehicle in Fire Service jargon). This Station was possibly the only one in history to feature a glass roof - not recommended for heat retention and unfortunately, rather attractive to small boys with catapults.
The photograph clearly shows the considerable building talents of the firemen of the day. Plans for Port Glasgow's next (and present) fire station were discussed at a meeting in 1967 with Mr Norman Buchan MP for West Renfrewshire, and Under-Secretary for State at the Scottish Office. At issue was a five year plan to replace fourteen stations throughout the Western Area.
Two years later, in October 1969, the Port Glasgow component of these plans came to fruition with official opening of an excellent three bay fire station by Mr J. Hartil, the Commandant of the Scottish Fire Service Training School, and a former Western Area firemaster. This handsome, well-appointed building, and the provision of modern equipment, brought Port Glasgow's fire fighting facilities up to date - a far cry from Anderson Street during World War II.
The Western Area Fire Brigade remained in existence until May 1975, when Regionalisation was introduced in Scotland, and Strathclyde Fire Brigade was formed. Its area was integrated within the new Brigades 'C' and 'F' Divisions. 'C' Division now comprises of the Districts of Inverclyde, Renfrew and Eastwood within Strathclyde Region.
Despite the decline of Port Glasgow's shipbuilding industry, its fire station, under the umbrella of Strathclyde Fire Brigade, has gone from strength to strength.
Tremendous advances have been made in the design of fire appliances and equipment. Hydraulic rescue gear and air powered lifting bags are provided for the rescue of persons from road accidents and industrial accidents. Fully-protective gas suits in conjunction with the latest positive-pressure compressed air breathing apparatus enable the firemen to work in toxic and corrosive atmospheres. Inflatable craft, emergency lighting generators, advanced foam-making equipment and two-way hand held radios are all available to the firemen of today. Just as modern technology has led to new hazards, so it has provided solutions by way of improvements in equipment.
Difficulties of incompatibility of equipment which plagued Brigades in the past have largely disappeared. Due to standardisation of hydrants and other equipment throughout the country, a present day fire appliance can operate effectively anywhere.
The people of Port Glasgow can be justifiably proud of their Fire Station and its history. Over these fifty years, many changes have taken place, but the dedication of the Fire Service to the protection of the public remains as strong today as in the past.
(An article in the Comet Festival programme by Mr James A. McCallum - former Station Officer, Port Glasgow Fire Brigade.)

Mr NORMAN BUCHAN, MP for West Renfrewshire, made his first visit to his constituency as Under Secretary of State at the Scottish Office yesterday.
His visit began at Renfrew Fire Station where he saw a demonstration of two new fire fighting machines which are to be delivered shortly to Greenock, the snorkel and the high expansion foam unit
At Port Glasgow Fire Station later in the afternoon, Mr Buchan inspected the station and discussed the plans for the new station with Firemaster Joseph Hartil and Divisional Officer James Ferrie They explained various points to him and said that they hoped to see work begin on the site adjacent to the new dual carriageway before the end of the year.
IMPRESSED
He told a Telegraph reporter that he was impressed with the way in which the station was kept. He had been told that within 25 seconds of an alarm the fire pump is on its way to the fire.
"I know the inadequacies of this station", he said when told by Station Officer James Mc Callum of the difficulties from parking near the station.
After a tour of the station with, Station Officer McCallum, Mr Buchan had a private talk with the firemen.
(A report published in The Greenock Telegraph 20/5/67.)

The Western Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

The Wholetime staff are splint over 4 Watches each consisting of 1 Stn O, 1 Sub O and 5Ffs.

Establishment 2016 July

The Wholetime staff are splint over 5 Groups each consisting of 1 WM,1 CM and 3 Ffs.

If you know of any mistakes or have any additions to this document please let me know.

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