Establishment 2000

After Rank to Role there is still a Volunteer Leader (with rank of Crew Commander) and a Deputy Volunteer Leader.

When the new call signs were being implemented in the WEST SDA over a 7 week period beginning 31/8/2020 doing 1 LSO Area per week, Locchranza was changed from R51 to G60.

For a 4x4 capability at Cumnock the MAN SF04YEY was swapped with Cumnock's Scania Rescue Pump Ladder SF53PNE in December 2011. This made Lochranza the first Volunteer Unit in Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to get a full size machine and also the first to have a 13.5 ladder. They were able to get this machine as an HGV licence was needed to drive the  the MANs.

Crew Commander Norman Bond took a years leave of absence to go to New Zealand on the 30th June 2011. Deputy Leader Fiona Laing was promoted to Temporary Crew Commander for 6 months and Temporary Deputy Leader Jamie Logan was promoted to Temporary Crew Commander for 6 months with Fiona reverting to her Deputy post. This was to give both experience as Leader.

At some point Finlay Murchie( an ex-fireman from Ardrossan?) got a trailer, suction and hose provided.
No unit in 1953
In 1955 there were 7 volunteers rising to 10 from 1965 to 1975.
Austin Gypsy arrived in 1965.
1993 Received Sabre Centurion BA sets.
Strathclyde Fireman No.25 June 1984:-Ian MacMillan retires article & photo and photo of THS825.

LOCHRANZA FIRE ALARM

Fire Sirens in two villages sent volunteer firemen racing on Saturday night. The fire at The Bakery, Lochranza, was started by an electric fire which ignited the wooden walls of the shop. The alarm was raised by a small unknown boy who ran to Lochranza Hotel, where Mr Ian Macmillan, who leads the Lochranza volunteer fire party, was serving behind his bar. Within seconds the bar was cleared and Mr Macmillan called out the Brodick Brigade who, with a police car going ahead to clear traffic, raced fifteen miles to the scene. The blaze was brought under control by the Lochranza unit and damage was confined to the walls of the shop, although a quantity of groceries was destroyed.
A brigade spokesman said later that but for the quick action of the boy the fire "could have been very serious indeed".
(The Buteman Friday, 16th July, 1965 Page 6.)

The unit used to be called out by a hand siren operated by the Volunteer Leader (who received a phone call) before an electric siren was installed on the Hotel roof.

Strathclyde are trying to obtain land from Arran estates and hope to build a new station to open in about 2 years time along with one at Blackwaterfoot. (15/3/2000)

Station occupied 24/9/2003 and officially opened 26/11/2003.

<PHOTO> Fireman Bill Hay raises a toast to the new fire station in Lochranza last Wednesday. See Page 7.
(The Arran Banner, Saturday 6 December, 2003. Front Page.)

New fire stations stand to

Official opening at Blackwaterfoot and Lochranza

Two brand new fire stations were opened on the Island last week.
On Tuesday night there was an official opening ceremony in the custom made new building next to the garage in Blackwaterfoot.
As well as fire Brigade and Council dignitaries, some of the original 1970’s crew of Donnie Campbell, John Robertson, John Murchie, Charles Murchie, Alistair Bannatyne, Angus Campbell and Ronnie Haggarty were present.
West Command Assistant Firemaster Phil Robertson welcomed the assembled company and told them that 30 years ago the equipment was very basic being just hand pumps, hose and hydrant standpipes. In those days they had a brigade Land Rover and often used their own vehicles to carry equipment. The fire station has been based in a shed at the Kinloch hotel since 1988 but now they have a state of the art building and equipment.
Firemaster Jeff Ord added that the Fire Board’s commitment would continue with issue of new fire fighting protective clothing.
After a brief dedication by the Reverend Barry Knight the Blackwaterfoot station officially opened followed by an informal social celebration.
The same group of dignitaries gathered together again on the following evening to mark the official opening of a new Lochranza Fire Station.
As on the previous night, Councillor Jane Gorman stood in for Strathclyde Fire Board Convenor Alex McGuire who had taken ill. Among the guests were some of the original crew from 30 years ago of Neil Fox, Clive Bowd, Peter Marshall, Phil Price and Joe Trickett.
Firemaster Jeff Ord outlined the improvements that the new station would offer. Just 10 years ago the appliance was a Ford pick-up which barely managed to carry the equipment.
As in Blackwaterfoot, there will be a programme of continued improvement with the forthcoming issue of a new appliance and replacement protective clothing.
These two new fire stations are a most positive step in bringing fire fighting abilities on Arran into the 21^st century.
<PHOTO> The Blackwaterfoot crew and their guests.
<PHOTO> The Lochranza fire crew and guests.
<PHOTO> Right: At Lochranza station, Firemaster J Ord, Mrs Jean Hunter, reader, Cllr Jane Gorman and Provost Drew Duncan.
(The Arran Banner, Saturday 6 December, 2003. Page 7.)
Correction West Commander is Phil Robinson.

 None of the above mentioned photos are on this site.

Official Opening

 Lochranza

Fire

Station

 Wednesday 26^th November 2003

Order of Proceedings
 

GUESTS ASSEMBLE
 

WELCOME

Assistant Firemaster Phil Robinson
Commander, West Command

OPENING CEREMONY

Councillor Alex McGuire
Convenor, Strathclyde Fire Board

DEDICATION CEREMONY

Attached Reader
Mrs Jean Hunter BD

COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Provost Drew Duncan
North Ayrshire Council

FIREMASTER’S REMARKS

Firemaster J Ord OstJ, QFSM, GIFireE

LOCHRANZA

VOLUNTEER UNIT

The first Volunteer Unit at Lochranza was formed by the Western Area Fire Brigade in the early 1970’s, and consisted of basic firefighting equipment which was carried on a Land Rover vehicle.

Some of the original crew consisted of:-
Peter Marshal
Phil Price
Joe Trickett
Neil Fox
Clive Bowd

As recently as 10 years ago the appliance was a Ford P100 pickup, which only just managed to carry all the equipment and which now included breathing apparatus. At this time the appliance was stored on the drive of Norman Bond, the current Volunteer Leader.

The Fire Board’s commitment to improved conditions for Volunteer Firefighters has continued with the building of Lochranza Fire Station and the supply of next generation breathing apparatus sets. This will shortly be followed by a replacement fire appliance and replacement state of the art firefighting protective clothing.

CURRENT LOCHRANZA CREW

Norman Bond (Leader)                                                        Fiona Laing (Deputy)
Bill Hay                                                                                  Chris Traill
Dan Goronwy                                                                       Jamie Logan
Chris Gillson

MAIN CONTRACTORS
John Thomson Construction Ltd
Park Terrace
Lamlash
KA27 8EJ

ARCHITECTS
North Ayrshire Council
Technical Services
Perceton House
Irvine
KA11 2AL