The South Western Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

A FRESH APPROACH TO PROTECTION 

<PHOTO> Some of the distinguished guests at Friday’s ceremony. Three policemen, four councillors and Firemaster Knowlton, Sub Officer Cunningham, Deputy Firemaster Harper.
<PHOTO> These three youngsters took advantage of Troon Fire Station’s Open Day on Saturday, by playing at being firemen with “real” equipment. They were even allowed to climb inside one of the engines. From left, the children are – five year old Fiona Brind; eight year old George Duncan and eight year old Stephen Seaward.
Top Officials from Strathclyde’s Police and Fire authorities arrived in Troon last Friday for the grand opening of the new joint Police and Fire Station.
The new building which cost in the region of £320,000 represents a fresh approach to the “protective services.” It is the first complex of its kind in Strathclyde.
Built in Portland Street, the two station are essentially separate units linked by an open roadway with the fire brigade training area taking up the lion’s share of the space between them.
Guest of honour at the opening was Councillor Charles Gray, depute leader of Strathclyde Regional Council, who unveiled a commemorative plaque in the fire station section of the complex.
Also present were Central Ayrshire MP David Lambie, Strathclyde’s Chief Constable Patrick Hamill and Area Firemaster Richard Knowlton.

ESSENTIAL

After introduction by the chairman of Strathclyde Regional Council’s Police and Fire Committee, Councillor James Jennings, Councillor Gray told the audience that he was always pleased to mention the work of the Police and the Fire Brigade.
“So many people take these kinds of services for granted. It is right that they should be gently chided on that. These services are absolutely essential to the lifeblood and wellbeing of the community.” He added that it gave him great pleasure to bring together these two services in such a “worthy” place as Troon.”
Mr Hamill then said “It is the coming together of two services that have been very close in terms of operational commitment.” He also paid tribute to the support of the regional council in having such accommodation built, and the architects for the design of the units. “I think they blend in very well with the serenity of Troon,” said the Chief Constable.
Councillor Gray received a clock from the new tenants, then before embarking on a tour of the building the Rev J Noel Woods gave a blessing.
On Saturday the complex was open to the public and the people responded well with large crowds turning up to see the new facilities.

How times have changed

As far as the Fire Brigade history file is concerned, Troon's safety lay in the hands of ten men, a two wheeled wooden barrow, a hose, standpipe and small ladder prior to 1934. A siren located at the gas works gave the warning to the crew.
On the outbreak of the second world war a building in Back Templehill was requisitioned as a fire station. Three pumps were towed by a local contractor's lorry when needed.
Troon Fire Brigade - a retained crew - became part of Strathclyde Fire Brigade in 1975.
The new station is manned by a Station Officer, two Sub Officers, two Leading Firemen and fifteen Firemen. They are summoned by radio "alerters". Troon and outlying districts are covered.
Accommodation for firemen includes an appliance room, a recreation/lecture room, a station office, muster bay area, breathing apparatus room, hose store, compressor/drying room, toilet/shower facilities along with kitchen and self catering facilities.
(The Troon and Prestwick Times 6th November 1981, Page 10).