The Angus Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1958

                                                Equipment                                                             Wholetime

                                                1 Turntable Ladder                                              3 Station Officers
                                                3 Pump Appliances                                              5 Sub Officers
                                                1 Other Operational Vehicle                               5 Leading Firemen
                                                                                                                                47 Firemen

Establishment 1961

                                                Equipment                                                                Wholetime

                                                Water Tender                                                            3 Station Officers
                                                Pump Escape                                                             3 Sub Officers
                                                Turntable Ladder                                                      6 Leading Firemen
                                                Emergency Tender                                                    42 Firemen

Manning WrT Stn O + 4Fm, PE Sub O + 4 Fm, TL L/Fm + 3Fm, ET L/Fm + 3Fm (Chimney Fires, Tree Rescues, Persons Locked Out, Flooding etc.). 3 Shifts Red, White and Blue working 2 Days, 2 Nights and 2 days off.

Establishment 2000

                                                 Equipment                                                             Wholetime

                                                2 Water Tender Ladders                                     4 Station Officers
                                                1 Aerial Ladder Platform                                     4 Sub Officers
                                                1 Emergency Tender                                            12 Leading Firefighters
                                                                                                                                56 Firefighters

Manning WrLs 5 and 4, ET 3 and ALP 2 min crew per watch 14. The Establishment is split over 4 watches, Red, White, Blue and Green working an average of 42 hours per week on a 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off rota.

This was A02 until 28/6/2004 when it became Station 2 and on ?/12/2015 it became P02 with the introduction of the new National Call Signs.

DUNDEE’S NEW FIRE STATION

Formal Opening of £7000 Building Today

The new northern district fire station in Strathmore Avenue, Dundee, will be formally opened today by Mr. Wm. Reid, convener of the Police and Fire Brigade Committee. The function will be attended by the members of the Town Council.
The extension of house building in the north of the city created a need for a sub station in the district, and the site chosen will enable the brigade to reach Lochee and the Downfield area with the minimum of delay.
The new station, which has cost approximately £7000, contains all the latest equipment and appliances. It is a tribute to the “handymen” of the fire brigade that a great deal of the preparatory work within the station has been done by members of the staff.
Motorists know to their cost how reluctant motor engines are to start in the middle of a cold winter night. This does not apply to fire engines.
By a clever arrangement the central heating scheme keeps the water cooling system of the engines at a temperature which ensures instantaneous starting.
The heating system was carried out under the superintendence of Mr Barry Cuthill, engineer and manager of the public baths and wash houses.
Behind the main building is a well equipped repair shop.
There are six three-roomed houses for the accommodation of the staff, and these dwellings, like the station itself, are of the most up to date type.
(Dundee Courier, Wednesday, November 9, 1932. Page 12.)

DUNDEE FIREMEN’S DISPLAY

NEW NORTHERN STATION OPENED

Service Medals for Members of Brigade

Dundee Town Councillors and officials became “fire minded” yesterday, when the new Northern Fire Station in Strathmore Avenue was formally opened by Mr. William Reid, convener of the Police and Fire Brigade Committee.
Great interest was taken in the machines and up to date fittings of the station, and several visitors were tempted to make a rapid descend on the “greasy poles” which lead from the living quarters to the engine room.
The Northern Fire Brigade made their first turnout when Lord Provost Buist pushed the bell alarm and Convener Reid pulled open the doors of the station. The firemen slid down the poles and were immediately at their posts ready for duty.
The company and a large gathering of the public witnessed an excellent exhibition of firefighting by the brigade under Firemaster Weir.
The turntable fire escape was seen at work, and a fireman perched on top of the escape at the dizzy height of 70 feet held a telephone conversation with Convener Reid, who advised him to “come down as quickly as possible.
”Dramatic “rescues” were affected with life saving apparatus and jumping sheets, and there were demonstrations of smoke helmets, chemical fire extinguishers, and the use of “fire snow” on petrol.

Medals Presented

Lord Provost Buist presided, and among those present were Firemaster Galloway, Ayr, and Firemaster Inverarity, Kilmarnock, both former members of Dundee Fire Brigade.
The Lord Provost said they had a most conscientious official in Captain Weir. They realised to the full their indebtedness to him.
Mrs Reid, wife of the convener, then presented service medals granted by the Professional Fire Brigade’s Association, on the recommendation of Captain Weir, to several members of the brigade.
The recipients were Deputy Firemaster Mackay, over 25 years’ service (with bar); Fireman Thomas Johnston, over 25 years’ service (with bar); William Forbes, 18 years’ service; Colin Davidson, 18 years’ service; J. A. Robertson, 16 years’ service; George Brand, 16 years’ service.
Mrs Weir, on behalf of the staff, thereafter presented Mrs Reid with a box of chocolates decorated with a picture of the new fire station.
Convener Reid, in declaring the station open, said he knew it would be of great service and he also knew it was one of the things the firemaster had very near his heart. (Applause.)

Long Service

In a speech after tea had been served the convener mentioned that the firemaster had the second longest service in the Corporation. The town clerk, he believed, was the only official who had had a longer service. They hoped the city would have the benefit of Captain Weir’s services for some years yet. (Applause.)
He wanted to say that the members of the brigade were an exceedingly good lot, and had never given him a minute’s trouble since he took over the convenership.
The fireman’s life was one that carried with it big risks, and they had not an eight hour day, but a 24 hour day with a seven day week. They were a credit to the city. (Applause.)
Referring to the brigade’s appliances, the convener said that a firemaster of one of the biggest brigades in the country had recently congratulated Captain Weir on his station arrangements, and had said he knew of nothing that could beat Liverpool and Dundee. (Applause.)
The new station, continued Convener Reid, was on the latest lines and they had endeavoured to do everything that would really tend to shorten the time required for the brigade turning out. He hoped the station would fulfil all that was expected of it and remain long a credit to Dundee.
On behalf of the contractors, Mr. Thomas C. Stocks presented Convener Reid with a unique miniature of a fireman’s helmet, suitably inscribed, as a memento of the occasion.

Half the Time

Captain Weir said that they had waited long for the new fire station. When the great development took place in the north end of the city it became a necessity. It would enable them to get to Downfield in half the time they formerly took, and would allow them to turn out two machines to every call.
He thanked Mrs Reid for presenting the medals – the first time he had seen a lady presenting medals to firemen.
Ex-Lord Provost Johnston said that they looked on the station as a great acquisition to the Seventh Ward, and particularly as an improvement to the amenity.
Mr. R. J. Larg, who was convener of the department when the idea for a northern station originated, congratulated Captain Weir on the station that had been created.
Bailie J. G. Fraser also spoke. Convener and Mrs Reid were thanked on the call of Mrs S. G. Fraser, and a similar compliment was paid the Lord Provost on the call of Bailie R. Loggie.
(A Dundee newspaper, Thursday, November 10, 1932.) 

New fire station cost approved 

<PHOTO> A model of the new fire station.
Tayside Police and Fire sub-committee yesterday approved the estimated total cost of £1,229,000 for a new northern fire station for Dundee at Macalpine Road.
The project will be funded mainly from the regional council’s covenant fund.
The sub-committee also approved an estimated total cost of £782,700 for a police sub-station at Gravesend car park, Arbroath.
When the members were told the fire brigade pay settlement would mean a shortfall of £65,000 this year and an additional £393,000 in a full year, Mrs Pat Doran, convener, said this was a large amount of money to contain. It was difficult to account for and the sub-committee would be asking approval to meet the additional expenditure.
The full committee approved the police budget for next year amounting to £25,280,000 and the fire budget of £7,720,000 and recommended that an additional £103,000 be included in the estimates for the police. This decision was unanimous.
(Courier and Advertiser, Thursday, January 14, 1988.)

Fire Brigade to fuel flames of nostalgia on moving out 

With the impending closure of Tayside Fire Brigade’s Northern Division Station in Strathmore Avenue, Dundee, as part of the march of progress, the personnel are busy preparing a “moving out” party at their old base.
The switch is due to take place this autumn when the new Macalpine Road fire station is completed and, as Station Commander Willie Steele explained, the idea is to say a fond farewell with a grand reunion night of as many of “The North’s” former members as possible.
“We are organising a farewell evening for the station and openly inviting everyone who ever served here to come along,” said Willie yesterday.
The station opened in November 1932, a date immortalised in the balcony railings at the front of the building, and cost £7,000 – compared to the new building’s reputed cost of over £1 million.
“When the station was first constructed it had live-in accommodation above the drill hall, because at that time firemen were on call 24 hours a day,” continued Mr Steele.
“Bearing in mind this was in 1932, at the height of the depression, the six flats incorporated in the building must have seemed like palaces to the firemen – and even by today’s standards are quite plush.
“The £7,00 cost of the building only included the main block, with the other out houses existing today being added at a later date.
“The Northern has consistently been the busiest station dealing with fires in the Tayside brigade for a number of years now.
“In one year it was reputedly the busiest in Scotland and, as we’re not quite sure about when that was, we’re hoping ex-firemen contacting us about the farewell party will be able to help out with the details.
“We thought it would be a nice idea to hold such an event so that people in the brigade, both past and present, could come along and reminisce with other firemen about ‘the good old days,’ as well as having a last look around the building before it closes.”
The future of the station is still uncertain as no apparent use for the building has, as yet, been found.
A spokesman for Tayside Regional Council, who own the premises, confirmed there was an ongoing investigation into finding an alternative use for the site.
“The actual farewell evening is being organised for Friday, August 3, in the station and we’re planning to set out boards marking the different eras and incidents the station has witnessed through the thirties and forties, right up to present day,” continued Mr Steele.
“We’d be grateful if any former personnel could help us out with our research.”
Should any former personnel wish to find out more about the farewell party, they can contact Willie Steele at the Northern Station on Dundee 825295.
(Courier and Advertiser, Thursday, June 7, 1990.)

Staff past and present are to attend “farewell” party 

Nearly six decades of fire fighting will be commemorated this Friday night, as staff of Tayside Fire Brigade’s Northern Fire Station, Strathmore Avenue, Dundee, hold a farewell party in the drill hall to mark its forthcoming closure.
The building is to end its service in the brigade when the new hi-tech station, which is situated some 1½ miles away in Macalpine Road opens later this year.
An open invitation to anyone who served at “The North” has proved to be very popular as many of the current personnel’s ex-colleagues have intimated they will attend, as well as ex-firefighters of all ages who have pledged not to miss the evening for the world.
Among the guests at the reunion/farewell party will be four of the brigade’s former firemasters – Mr John Jackson, Mr Alfred Jones, Mr David Nicoll and Mr Alex Winton, currently Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland; along with the present Acting Firemaster David Marr.
Standing in the shadow of the Law, the station was opened in 1932 and during that time has served in four brigades – Dundee Fire Brigade, National Fire Service, Angus Area Fire Brigade and Tayside Fire Brigade.
“When the station was originally opened, its main purpose was to serve Downfield and Lochee,” explained Station Commander Willie Steele last night.
“However, the station now also gives fire cover to many of the city’s industrial estates and housing schemes like St Mary’s, Ardler, Charleston, Dryburgh, Kirkton, Trottick and Mill O’Mains, as well as the outlying villages of Dundee District and Angus, such as Tealing and Birkhill,” he continued.
“As a result, the North has consistently been the busiest station dealing with fire in the Tayside brigade for a number of years now – and in one year, was reputedly the busiest in Scotland.
“We have calculated that over the 58 years the station has been in existence, the staff working here have been on duty round the clock for a staggering 497,000 hours, have attended in excess of 114,000 turnouts and rescued around 2,500 people,” added Mr Steele.
“The whole idea behind the farewell party is to give people in the brigade, both past and present members, the chance to come along and reminisce with other firemen about ‘the good old days’ as well as having a last look around the building before it closes.”
The future of the building itself is still uncertain as no apparent use for it has, as yet, been found, although a spokesman for Tayside Regional Council, who owns the premises, confirmed that there is an ongoing investigation into finding an alternative use for the site.
“The farewell evening starts at 7.30pm on Friday in the station itself and we will have various displays set out in the drill hall marking the many different eras and incidents the station has witnessed through the thirties and forties, right up until the present date,” added Mr Steele.
“All former personnel of the station will be welcome to come along on the night – the more the merrier – and say ‘goodbye’ to the building as the North comes to the end of an era.”
(Courier and Advertiser, Tuesday, July 31, 1990.) 

New fire station is all ready to come on-line 

<PHOTO> 10 crew standing in front of the Emergency Tender in the bays.
The busiest operational station within the entire network of Tayside Fire Brigade formally begins working from a new headquarters on Monday afternoon.
The imposing £1.3 million facility on Macalpine Road, Ardler, with its striking scarlet girders and pale brickwork, will be the base for two water tenders, a turntable ladder unit, an emergency tender and 76 firefighters.
On top of its firefighting role within Dundee, the station will be the operational and administrative HQ for ‘A’ Division of the Brigade – the entire city and all stations within Angus.
At 5pm precisely on Monday, the new station takes on full responsibility and the old Fire Station in Strathmore Avenue, will cease to operate.
As well as an operational and administrative complex, the new station has enhanced training facilities on-site and will house the fire prevention service.
Located as it is in Macalpine Road, an innovative system is to be introduced shortly to allow the station’s units to deploy smoothly onto this busy route.
As the fire alarm sounds, summoning crews to their machines, traffic lights will briefly halt vehicles on Macalpine Road until the fire units are on their way.
The head of ‘A’ Division, Divisional Officer Bob Brown, will work from the new building whilst the running of the facility will be in the hands of Station Commander William Steele.
Both said yesterday they were impressed with the new station’s facilities and capabilities and look forward to a planned open day to introduce the station to the public.
And, purists will be delighted to hear, the firefighters will still slide down poles to get to their machines.
(Courier and Advertiser, Saturday, December 15, 1990.)

<PHOTO> 2 Volvos and a Turntable Ladder. (Photo not on site)

Lined up in front of the fire engines at the new base are (from left) – Fifefighter Ian McCandish, Leading Firefighter Gill Sharp, Tayside Regional Council convener George Buckman, Councillor Smith, Firemaster Derek Marr and Firefighter Kevin Culloch.
The new £1.3 million Tayside Fire Brigade station in Macalpine Road, Dundee – home of the busiest operational base in the entire network – was opened yesterday.
The imposing facility in Ardler, just off Kingsway West, with its striking scarlet girders and pale brickwork, came on line three months ago and is home to two Water Tenders, a Turntable Ladder Unit, an Emergency Tender and 76 firefighters.
On top of it’s firefighting role in Dundee, the Northern Fire Station, is the operational and administrative H.Q. for “A” Division of the brigade – the entire city and all of Angus.
The opening ceremony was performed by Councillor Bill Smith, convener of Tayside Region’s Police and Fire Committee.
The base, in the north west of the city, took on the responsibility of the old Northern Fire Station in Strathmore Avenue when it closed down at the end of last year.
As well as an operational and administrative complex the new station has enhanced training facilities on site and will house the fire prevention service.
(The Courier and Advertiser, Wednesday, March 13, 1991. Page 5.)

1949/50 Approved or under construction, extension to existing premises at fire station, Strathmore Avenue, Dundee, consisting of workshops, garages, hose and drill tower, billets, recreation and messing accommodation, stores, etc.
1958/59 The new Dormitory Block which was approved at the end of 1958 has proved itself a valuable asset to this Station. The prefabricated huts which it replaced have been demolished and the site cleared.
1959/60 Permission having been obtained to proceed with the adaptation of the disused pole drop at this Station for use as a hose drying tower, work on this project was undertaken by the Direct Labour Department and is now well advanced.

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.