The Fire Brigade was formed in 1887, and occupied premises at the Canal Bridge over the Canal which passed down to the Clyde from Whitecrook where the L. M. & S. Railway now passes under Glasgow Road. Owing to the operations of the new railway, they had to remove to a temporary Fire Station on Burgh Ground, near the site of the present Municipal Buildings which was to be used until such time as the Municipal Buildings which included a Fire Station were proceeded with. The personel of the Brigade consisted of nine Auxiliary Firemen, the late Bailie Andrew Sinclair being appointed the first Firemaster of the Burgh, and as far as is known the only remaining members of the Brigade now living are Mr. James Stewart, 94 Abbott Crescent, Clydebank and Mr. H.McLean, Master Plumber, Dalmuir.
The appliances of the Brigade consisted of a hand cart with Hose Reel, 600 feet of Canvas Hose with Bayonet Couplings, Hand Pipes, Branches, 2 Hand Pumps, a 16 foot Spliced Ladder in 4 parts and other accessories.
In 1893, the Commissioners of the Burgh inquired of Messrs. J. & G. Thomson Ltd. and Messrs. Singers, if their Engines would be available in the case of a serious fire within the Burgh, the Burgh being responsible for the payment of the Firemen so employed; both firms replied in the negative. The Commissioners then decided to ask Glasgow and Partick if. they would supply an Engine when required, on the usual terms which were submitted and accepted.
In 1894 Firemaster Sinclair resigned and Mr. John Cook was appointed to the position. The Fire Brigade was divided into three districts, Central, East and West and the name of each district Fireman was painted up at his residence, so that the public might call him out as soon as possible, in cases of fires in his district. In 1897 the Fire Station was removed to Hume Street, as it was in the way of making the road at the Municipal Buildings, and a two stalled stable was erected alongside the Station to house the horses. The Commissioners also decided to make further improvements, it being agreed to purchase a Horse Drawn Fire Hose Tender with a spliced ladder in 4 parts, 22 feet long, made by Shand, Mason & Co., London, and an arrangement was come to by which Mr. H. Turnbull, Carriage Hirer would provide horses and harness at the Fire Station also a driver when required. They also decided to purchase 500 feet of Canvas Hose, Hand Pipes, Branches and a patent Spray Nozzle for the new machine.
It was decided to house the five Firemen of the Central District in one tenement in Miller Street, the two Firemen in Yoker District to be asked to reside in the same tenement in a suitable part of Yoker, and that the same arrangement be made in Dalmuir. Telephone communication was installed between the different districts and also with the Police Office.
In 1903 Firemaster Cook resigned and Mr. Wm. Cunningham was appointed Firemaster. The following year, the Brigade removed into the New Fire Station at the Municipal Buildings and the Telephone communications between the districts and the Police Office were installed, also Electric Bells in the Firemen's houses, arrangements being made with Mr. John Muirbead, Carriage Hirer, to supply the horses for the Brigade when required. In 1907 Firemaster Cunningham resigned and the Town Council decided to appoint a full-time Firemaster, and after interviewing several applicants Mr. Wm. White of the Edinburgh Fire Brigade, was appointed. In October, 1907 a serious Fire broke out at the U.C.B.S. Bakery in John Knox Street, and it was necessary to procure the services of a Steam Fire Pump from the Glasgow Fire Brigade to supply the necessary pressure for the height of the building. The following year the Town Council decided to purchase a Steam Motor Fire Pump, also a petrol Motor Fire Tender. After delivery of this Pump Clydebank Fire Brigade was the first all-motor Fire Brigade in the Country. Three new permanent Firemen were appointed, and it was decided to discontinue the District Stations and have all the men resident in or near the Fire Station Buildings. At the beginning of 1909 the Town Council came to an arrangement with the Yoker Ratepayers Committee, for the services of the Brigade from Yoker Burn to Scotstoun West Station, and in 1910 a new arrangement for the district was entered into with the Renfrewshire County Council which lasted until the part of Renfrewshire to the north of the Clyde was annexed by Glasgow. Firemaster White left Clydebank in 1911, and Mr. James Miller, Deputy Firemaster, was appointed Firemaster. In 1912 an arrangement for the services of the Brigade in the Eastern portion of Dumbartonshire was entered into with the County Council of Dunbarton and still continues to operate. During the war the arrangement was extended to the Western portion of Dunbartonshire, which was served by the Brigade until 1922, when it was taken over by Helensburgh Fire Brigade.
In 1919 the Town Council decided to purchase a Merryweather Petrol Motor Fire Pump to displace the Steam Motor Pump as they required greater speed going to a fire and the existing engine consumed too much paraffin. In 1920 it was decided to dispense with the services of the auxiliary firemen, and staff the Brigade with permanent firemen bringing the total up to 14 permanent men. The Town Council adopted the Fire Brigade Pensions Act in 1926. The Town Council decided in 1927 to displace the Petrol Motor Fire Tender with another Petrol Fire Pump, and after inspecting several different Pumps, agreed to purchase a Halley Six-Cylinder Fire Engine with Drysdale Pump. Firemaster Miller retired on pension in 1932, and the present Firemaster, then Deputy Firemaster, was appointed Firemaster. In 1933 the Halley Fire Engine was brought up-to-date with the converting of the Tyres from Solid to Pneumatic, and by the addition of a collector and a Dynamo for Lighting purposes.
In 1935 it was decided to purchase a Halley Six-Cylinder Fire Engine of the latest make with the improved Drysdale Pump, and the latest continuous Foam-making Branch for use on Petrol and Oil Fires was added to the plant of the Brigade.
The Brigade in equipment and number of personnel is in a better position than that of many of the larger towns in the Country.
Few of those who fill the cinemas and other places of amusement give more than a passing thought to the elaborate precautions which are taken for their safety. Public attention is only called to the matter on the occasion of a disaster resulting perhaps in the loss of life. Such disasters are, fortunately, rare in this country, but vigilance cannot be relaxed on this account, especially in view of the fact that as audiences grow larger the risks tend to increase. The Magistrates of Clydebank, who are the Licensing Authority, have always insisted that the necessary precautions be taken and that passages, doors, gates, shutters, exits, stairways, fire curtains, alternative lighting, fire appliances, etc., conform to their requirements before granting a license. They also require that the fire appliances, cinema boxes, etc., be examined weekly and that a fireman should be on duty at all performances for children. These precautions, in addition to the precautions taken by the licensees themselves, ensure that cinema and other audiences in Clydebank are subject to a minimum of risk.
(Pages 85, 86 & 87 from a book in Clydebank Library)

Provost Frank Downie, of Clydebank, the Town Clerk and other Town Council officials will attend the opening of the Brigade's new fire station near Goldenhill this afternoon.
The new £100,000 luxury fire station is one of the most up to date and best equipped in the whole of Scotland.
(The Press, Friday May 25, 1962, Page 5)

<PHOTO>
Assistant Firemaster of the area, Mr Ralph Harvey stands beside Mrs Ann Maclean after she had opened the new station. The Central Area fire service still awaits the appointment of a new Firemaster.
Among others in the picture are Bailies Donald Paterson, Robert Burns, Provost Frank Downie (first three on left) and Councillor Malcolm Turner (extreme right) all of Clydebank. Photo by Alex Holmes.

UNUSUAL FEATURES

There are a number of unusual operational features incorporated in the design of the new station.
The main window is the watchroom in the form of a "blister" which enables the dutyman to have a commanding view of the large forecourt.
Any member of the public who may approach the station for assistance is immediately observed.
The firemen can even train at night for the drill yard has been equipped with powerful floodlights.
The interior of the station is the last thing in fireman's luxury.
There are reading rooms, lecture rooms, a spacious dining hall and comfortable quarters for the men.
A large tower not unlike a slim block of flats dominates the whole area.
The station will be manned by 47 firemen and two officers.
(The Press, Friday, June 1, 1962, Page 1)

Secretary of State, Mr John Maclay will be asked to intervene in a dispute which is threatening to hold up the building of a block of four garages for the private cars of fire officers at Clydebank's new fire station.
The Central Fire Area Joint Committee proposed to build the garages at a cost of £1,014 and let them to the fire officers at 15s a week.
Clydebank and other authorities on the joint committee have approved the expenditure with the exception of Falkirk Town Council.
The Joint Committee pointed out that if Falkirk continued to disapprove then the matter would be referred to the Scottish Secretary for a decision.
(The Press Friday, June 1, 1962, Page 8)

Clydebank Fire Brigade

Clydebank Burgh Fire Brigade was formed in 1887 and consisted of 9 Auxiliary Firemen operating a hand cart out of premises at the Canal Bridge of the Forth and Cart Junction Canal.
The Brigade was divided into three Districts including Yoker and Dalmuir and in 1887 moved into temporary premises in Hume Street with a Horse drawn Engine and improved equipment.
In 1904 the new station, adjacent to the Municipal Buildings in Hall Street, was occupied with telephone communication being secured between the Districts and the police office.
Following a serious fire in the U.C.B.'s Bakery in 1907 the first full time Firemaster took delivery of a Steam Motor Fire Pump and a petrol Motor Fire Tender making the Brigade the first all motor Fire Brigade in the country.
From 1920 to 1962 full time firemen have attended thousands of emergency calls in and around Clydebank from the Hall Street Station including the horrific ravages of the Blitz.
The new Clydebank Fire Station in Kilbowie Road was opened in May 1962 and presently houses 2 Water Tenders, 1 Turntable Ladder and an Emergency Support Unit. A total complement of 88 officers and men now continues the fine traditions of Public Service set by their predecessors in the last century to the present day under the auspices of Strathclyde Fire Brigade.
There was a photo with this article showing SN1262 and SN224 in front of the Hall Street station with 10 firemen, 2 officers and a civilian.
(From page 1 of the Invitation Programme for the Centenary Ball 18/9/1987)

OPENING OF EAST & WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE

AREA HEADQUARTERS

& RE-DEDICATION OF CLYDEBANK

COMMUNITY FIRE STATION

19^th June 2008 

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS 

GUESTS ASSEMBLE 

PLATFORM PARTY ASSEMBLES 

INTRODUCTION
Area Commander William P Hunter 

CHIEF OFFICER’S OPENING REMARKS
Chief Officer B. P Sweeney QFSM D. Univ. MA 

RE-DEDICATION CEREMONY
Councillor Brian Wallace
Convener of the Board of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue 

PRAYER
Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Chaplain
Rev. Craig Lancaster 

CLOSING REMARKS
Chief Officer B. P Sweeney QFSM D. Univ. MA 

BUFFET/DISPLAYS/TOURS 

CLYDEBANK
COMMUNITY FIRE STATION 

In 1887, the Clydebank Burgh Fire Brigade was formed with 9 personnel operating a hand cart out of premises at the Canal Bridge-of the Forth and Cart Junction Canal before moving to temporary accommodation in Hume Street with a horse drawn engine.
In 1904 the Brigade moved into the new fire station in Hall Street and 1908 a huge blaze engulfed the former United Co-operative Baking Society’s premises in John Knox Street, resulting in Clydebank Town Council deciding to invest in a steam motor fire pump and the Clydebank Fire Brigade became the first all-motorised brigade in Scotland.
The Brigade remained there for 58 years with personnel attending thousands of emergency calls in and around Clydebank including the horrific ravages of the Blitz.
At a cost of £100,000, the new Clydebank Fire Station in Kilbowie Road was opened in May 1962 by Mrs Ann MacLean and originally housed 2 Water Tenders, 1 Turntable Ladder and an Emergency Support Unit. Described in the local press at the time as a luxury fire station and one of the most up to date and best equipped in the whole of Scotland, such that “The firemen can even train at night for the drill yard has been equipped with powerful floodlights”
Having provided over 40 years accommodation, Strathclyde Fire Board approved and funded a major £1.7 million refurbishment and extension of the Station in 2006 and is now a modern facility again housing a Rescue Pump, an Aerial Rescue Pump and a Major Incident Unit. With a complement of 81 operational and support personnel, the Station provides a key resource in the prevention, protection and intervention strategies of the Service towards making the communities of East and West Dunbartonshire and Strathclyde safer places to live work and visit. 

THROUGH THE YEARS 

<PHOTO> Clydebank Burgh fireman George Hamilton at the wheel of his six-cylinder Halley fire appliance outside the entrance to Hall Street Fire Station, 1920s. His colleague P McLaughlin stands by.
<PHOTO> Clydebank appliances outside the Community Fire Station in Kilbowie Road. Pictured from left to right are the Aerial Rescue Pump, Rescue Pump and Major Incident Unit.
<PHOTO> Clydebank Community Fire Station before refurbishment.
<PHOTO> Clydebank Community Fire Station after refurbishment. 

EAST & WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
AREA HEADQUARTERS 

The old Area HQ building, recently demolished, stood to the side of Clydebank Community Fire Station, and was built around 1974 with a lifespan of 10 years. The building originally accommodated the headquarters of ‘F’ Division before a restructure in 1994 renamed it North Command HQ.
In 2005, to allow for better partnership working in line with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Strategy, a further restructure took place aligning Areas more closely with Local Authority Councils and it was then renamed East & West Dunbartonshire Area HQ. At one time the building accommodated approximately 30 Fire and Rescue employees, far beyond the original intended capacity.
34 years later, with funding from Strathclyde Fire Board, the new HQ building was completed at a cost of £0.75 million and occupied in December 2007. This is in complete contrast to the previous premises with modern spacious office accommodation for 15 officers and 6 support staff.
The previous HQ building has now been demolished and a much needed car park has been provided in its place for HQ staff. The new building will be a major asset in serving the communities of Strathclyde and East and West Dunbartonshire well into the future. 

<PHOTO> Staff outside the old Area HQ.
<PHOTO> The new East & West Dunbartonshire Area HQ.

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