1 Volunteer Support Unit.
Stations
| ? to 1955 | Metal cabinet adjacent to Island Shop |
| 1955 to 2001 | Wooden Hut beside the Post Office. Photo |
| 27/7/2002 to | Volunteer Garage (road up from slipway turn left) Photo |
Firemasters
| 1960 to 9/1/1993 | Volunteer Leader Sheamus McSporran |
| ? to 7/10/2005 | Volunteer Leader Warren Harvey |
| 2014 | Volunteer Leader Andrew Clements (there 8/5/2023) |
Appliances
1948 to ? 1 Two-men manual pump
? to 2001 Pump, hose etc.
2001 Y628TYS Mercedes 814D/Emergency One VSU
Notes
The new station is complete but has not been handed over to the brigade yet. (1/6/2001)
The new station became operational on 23/7/2001, and was Officially Opened on 27/7/2002.
2014 this unit now has Hydraulic cutting equipment (Combi Tool). Don't know when received.
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, Gigha was changed from L68 to E70.
| 1941 to 1948 | National Fire Service |
| 1948 to 1975 | Western Area Fire Brigade |
| 1975 to 2005 | Strathclyde Fire Brigade |
| 2005 to 2013 | Strathclyde Fire & Rescue (Name change only.) |
| 1/4/2013 | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service |
The Western Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948
Equipment Volunteer
1 Two Men manual Pump 7 Firemen
Saturday 27th July 2002
GUESTS ASSEMBLE
PLATFORM PARTY ASSEMBLES
OPENING REMARKS
Councillor J Stirling
Member, Strathclyde Fire Board
OPENING
CEREMONY
Councillor J Shaw
Convenor, Strathclyde Fire Board
DEDICATION OF STATION
Reverend Rosemary Legge
PRESENTATION OF TRAINING CERTIFICATES
Firemaster J Ord OstJ, QFSM, GIFireE
FIREMASTER’S REMARKS
Firemaster J Ord OstJ, QFSM, GIFireE
CLOSING REMARKS
BUFFET
GIGHA
VOLUNTEER UNIT
During
the Second World the island’s Home Guard were in essence the foundations for the
Volunteer Fire Unit. Post war, the Western Area Fire Board maintained the
equipment which consisted of a stirrup pump, canvas buckets, lines and “Dad’s
Army” style tin helmets; all stored in a metal cabinet adjacent to the island’s
shop. One large wooden ladder was also available but no one knew how to operate
it, nor indeed did anyone know how it was to be transported to a fire.
The turnout system was uncomplicated but effective, simply “hand wind the siren
and those who arrived manned the buckets”.
In 1955 water mains and fire hydrants were installed on the island. The unit
were then issued with standpipes and fire hose along with an 8’ x 4’ timber shed
which was again located at the shop.
The formation of Strathclyde Fire Brigade in 1975 brought further developments
in the form of improved resources, a structured approach to training and the
provision of uniform in keeping with Wholetime colleagues.
The Unit Leader for most of this period was Sheamus McSporran (1960 to 1993) who
on the 12th January 1993, only three days after he had retired from the
Unit suffered a fire loss in respect of his motor vehicle. The alarm was raised
late in the evening by neighbour Angus McVean, who calmly enquired “Is that
supposed to be on fire?” Needless to say the Unit was called and promptly
extinguished the fire preventing it from spreading to adjoining properties.
Today we are here to open this new facility with all its modern fire fighting
equipment, breathing apparatus and purpose built fire appliance.
However we should not forget the volunteers past and present who give and have
given so willingly of their time to serve their community.
Strathclyde Fire Brigade will continue to provide resources, training and
community safety initiatives, it is the men and women who volunteer their time
and effort that enables a fire service to be provided.
It is to them that we express our gratitude.
Messrs Mckinven and Colville
7-11 Argyll Street
Campbeltown
PA28 6AY
ARCHITECTS
Argyll and Bute Council
Department of Transportation and Property
Director:- Mr Alistair Gow
Designed and produced by Strathclyde Fire Brigade (Graphics)
MAIN INDEX 1975 INDEX STRATHCLYDE INDEX SFRS WEST SDA STATIONS