P01 PERTH
2 Pumps, 1 Aerial Ladder Platform, 1 Water Rescue Unit, 1 Prime Mover Wholetime.
Stations
1796 circa | Part of St John's Church Photo |
? | Part of the Weight house, a building west of St John's Church |
1836? | Dry Arch in Perth Bridge Photo |
1835? to 1921 | 13 Tay Street Photo |
1921 to 1971 | 11 King Edward Street Photo |
29/9/1971 to | 401 High Street PERTH PH1 1PL. Photo |
Firemasters
1835 to 1843 | Firemaster R. Boyle |
1843 to 1850 | Superintendent James Thompson |
1850 to 1877 | Superintendents J. Boyle and T. Welsh |
1877 to 1887 | Captain James McLeish |
1887 to 1896 | Captain John Masterton |
1896 to 1920 | Captain Robert McDonald |
1920 to 1941 | Firemaster W. J. Patterson MIFireE |
1941 to 1946 | Fire Force Commander A. S. Pratten M.B.E. |
1946 to 1947 | Fire Force Commander A. Nisbet G.M., MIFireE |
1947 to 1975 | Firemaster A. Masson M.B.E., O.B.E., QFSM, MIFireE Perth & Kinross Fire Brigade |
1975 to 1980 | Firemaster A. Jones Tayside Fire Brigade |
1980 to 1985 | Firemaster D.Nicol M.B.E., FIFireE Tayside Fire Brigade |
1985 to 1990 | Firemaster Alex. Winton QFSM, MIFireE Tayside Fire Brigade |
1990 to 2001 | Firemaster D. Marr Tayside Fire Brigade |
2002 to 3/2012 | Firemaster Stephen Hunter Tayside Fire Brigade |
3/2012 to 16/8/2012 | Acting Chief Officer Alasdair Hay |
16/8/2012 to31/3/2013 | Acting Chief Officer David Boyle |
Appliances
1920? | ES2772? | Dennis | ? |
1920? | ES3639 | Dennis | ? |
? | GS3125 | Albion Lorry | 1st Aid Tender |
? |
GS5538 |
Dennis |
PE |
1942 |
GLE939 |
Austin K4/Perth Fire Brigade Workshops MKII |
WrT |
1942 |
GLT724 |
Austin K2/Home Office Ex ATV |
HrT |
1942 |
GXH573 |
Austin K2/Home Office Ex ATV |
HrT |
1942 |
GXH589 |
Austin K2/Home Office |
ATV |
1943 |
GXN232 |
Austin K4/Merryweather 60’ |
TL |
1946 |
? |
Bedford QL 4x4/Home Office |
WrT(A) |
1952 |
EGS86 |
Commer 86A/Carmichael |
PE |
1953 |
EGS298 |
Commer QX/Carmichael |
PE |
1957 |
LGS493 |
Commer 86A/HCB |
WrT |
1959 |
LES448 |
AEC Mercury/Merryweather |
TL |
1959 |
JGS652 |
Land Rover 109/P&KFB |
ET |
1961 |
PGS442 |
Land Rover 109/P&KFB |
ERT |
1961 |
? |
Land Rover 109/P&KFB |
CU |
1961 |
RES758 |
Commer QX/HCB |
WrT |
1962 |
UES184 |
Land Rover FC109/P&KFB |
GPL |
1962 |
UES692 |
Commer 86A/HCB |
WrE |
1966 |
FGS986D |
Commer VAKS/HCB Angus |
WrT |
1968 |
KES313F |
Commer VCMW/HCB Angus |
ET |
1968 |
KGS901G |
Commer VBKW Walkthru/HCB Angus |
HrT |
1968 |
LGS96G |
Commer VA/Carmichael |
WrT |
1970 |
RES144J |
Dodge K850/HCB Angus |
WrL |
1971 |
TES268K |
Dodge K850/HCB Angus |
WrE |
First | Second | Aerial | CARP | Emergency Tender | ATV | Heavy Rescue Unit | Water Rescue | |
1927 | ES3639 | ES2773? | Horse drawn steamer | |||||
1973 | TES268K | TES539K | LES448 | KES313F | ||||
1990 | E358JSN | D641ESL | E689SEA | D637ESL | ||||
1992 | J391JSN | J392JSN | E689SEA | D637ESL | ||||
1994 | L511SSN | L512SSN | E689SEA | D637ESL | ||||
1998 | P645KSP | P646KSP | E689SEA | D637ESL | ||||
2000 | V963DSN | V964DSN | E689SEA | W638OSP | N952EES | |||
2002 | V963DSN | V964DSN | ST02GAU | W638OSP | N952EES | |||
2003 | ST52GYH | ST52GYJ | ST02GAU | W638OSP | ||||
2004 | SP04ECF | ST52GYJ | ST02GAU | W638OSP | ||||
2006 | ST52GYF | Y301PSP | ST02GAU | SP54EDF | ||||
2007 | SP06EGZ | Y301PSP | ST02GAU | SP54EDF | ||||
2008 | SP57DXS | SP06EGZ | ST02GAU | SP54EDF | ||||
2010 | SF10EER | SP57DXS | ST02GAU | SP54EDF | ||||
2011 Apr 6 | SF10EER | SP57DXS | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | ||||
2012 August | SF10EER | SP57DXS | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | ST60SLZ | |||
2013 May | SP62AVU | SF10EER | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | SP55CXT | |||
2017 Nov | SP62AVU | SF10EER | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | ST60SLZ | |||
2018 | SP62AVU | SF10EER | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | SV15MSX | |||
2018 Nov | SV65KLP | SP62AVU | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | SV15MSX | |||
3/8/2021 | SF70GXW | SV65KLP | SP10EKC | SP54EDF | SV15MSX |
4/9/2023 Perth's 3rd appliance SP10EKC became a dedicated Aerial with a crew of 2 as part of the budget cuts removing 2nd or 3rd appliances from 10 stations in Scotland.
ES2773? | Dennis | PL |
ES3639 | Dennis | PL |
D641ESL | Dodge G13c/Fulton & Wylie | WrL |
D637ESL | Dodge G13c/TFB | ET |
E358JSN | Dodge G13c/Mountain Range | WrL |
E689SEA | Scania P82M/Fulton & Wylie/Simon SS263 | HP |
J391JSN | Volvo FL6-14/Emergency One | WrL |
J392JSN | Volvo FL6-14/Emergency One | WrL |
L511SSN | Volvo FL6-14/Emergency One | WrL |
L512SSN | Volvo FL6-14/Emergency One | WrL |
N952EES | Crayford Argocat 8x8 | ATV |
P645KSP | Volvo FL6-18/Emergency One | WrL |
P646KSP | Volvo FL6-18/Emergency One | WrL |
V963DSN | Scania 94D-260/Emergency One | WrL |
V964DSN | Scania 94D-260/Emergency One | WrL |
W638OSP | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | ET |
Y301PSP | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | WrL |
ST02GAU | Volvo FM12/Angloco/Bronto F32HDT | ALP |
ST52GYF | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | RP |
ST52GYH | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | WrL |
ST52GYJ | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | WrL |
SP04ECF | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | RP |
SP54EDF | Scania 94D-230/Ray Smith | PM |
SP55CXT | Mercedes Sprinter 416 CDi | TSU |
SP06EGZ | Scania 94D-260/Excalibur | RP |
SP57DXS | Scania P270/JDC | RP |
SF10EER | Scania P270/Emergency One | RP |
SP10EKC | Scania P380/Angloco/Bronto F28ALR | ARP |
ST60SLZ | Ford Transit | TRU |
SP62AVU | Scania P280/Emergency One | RP |
SV15MSX | Mercedes Sprinter 4x4/Carmichael | WRU |
SV65KLP | Scania P280/Polybilt/JDC | RP |
SF70GXW | Scania P280/Emergency One (New Gen) | RP |
Pods on station Heavy Rescue Unit (SUHRU2), Hazardous
Material Unit (SUHMU). (5/1/2010)
Pods on station are Heavy Rescue Unit (on prime Mover) and Environmental Unit
(in yard). (20/9/2011) (18/8/2012)
The TRU and TSU are Water Rescue Units, they were swapped as Perth do more water
rescues and needed the bigger van.
Brigades
1835? to 1941 | City of Perth Fire Brigade |
1941 to 1948 | National Fire Service |
1948 to 1975 | Perth and Kinross Fire Brigade |
1975 to 7/6/2005 | Tayside Fire Brigade |
8/6/2005 to 2013 | Tayside Fire and Rescue (Name change only) |
1/4/2013 | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service |
Notes
The Perth and Kinross Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948
Equipment Wholetime Retained
1 Turntable Ladder 1 Company
Officer 2 Leading Firemen
1 Pump Escape 2 Section
Leaders 14 Firemen
1 Self Propelled Pump towing Light Pump 4 Leading Firemen
2 Large Trailer Pumps 24 Firemen and
Watchroom Attendants
3 Standard Towing Units (2 Area Reserve)
1 Water Tender with Light Pump mounted
1 Hose Carrier
The Perth and Kinross Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1952
Equipment Wholetime Retained
1 Turntable Ladder
1 Company Officer 2 Leading Firemen
5 Pump Appliances 2
Section Leaders 14 Firemen
4 Leading Firemen
24 Firemen and Watchroom Attendants
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.
Establishment 2011
Equipment Wholetime
2
Rescue Pumps
4 Watch Managers
1 Aerial
Aerial Platform
12 Crew Managers
1
Prime Mover
56 Firefighters
Minimum Manning 1st 5, 2nd 4,
ARP 4 (CM, driver and 2 BA). If HRU required the CM and 1 BA from the ARP crew
the HRU which has the 2nd as a support pump and the ARP becomes an Aerial only
with the other BA becoming OIC. House fire would get 2 pumps and if persons
reported or over 4 storeys high the ARP would also attend. If 2 pumps out ARP
becomes 3rd pump and attends any other calls.
The Establishment is split over 4 watches (each watch consists of 18 crew, 1 WM,
3 CM and 14 Ffs), 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 B01 until 28/6/2004
when it became Station 21 and on ?/12/2015 it became P01 with the introduction
of the new National Call Signs.
Perth's new Fire Station at Longcauseway went operational at 8-30am on Sunday
25th July 1971 and was officially opened on Wednesday, 29th September, 1971.
Opening of Perth’s New Fire Station.
INTERESTING CEREMONY ON WEDNESDAY.
A MIDNIGHT ALARM.
One of the most interesting
functions which has taken place in Perth for a long was the formal opening of
the new Fire Station in King Edward Street on Wednesday, and the pleasant social
evening which followed. The ceremony was performed by Miss Rachael Pennycuick,
Murrayfield, Craigie, the generous donor of the two splendid motor fire engines,
in presence of a company which included, in addition to Lord Provost the Hon.
John Dewar, the Magistrates and Town Councillors and their wives,
representatives of all the works in the city; Mr Frank Eastman; Mr J. G.
Mathews; Mr Jas. Douglas; Mr D. Black; Mr Craggs; ex-Lord Provost and Mrs
Wotherspoon; Chief Constable and Mrs Scott; Mr P. Brown; Mr and Mrs John Clark;
Mrs W. Scott.
Ex Bailie Robert Stewart, Convener of the Watching and Lighting Committee, was
in charge of the proceedings.
Ex-Bailie Stewart said that, apart from the Town Council, he did not know of any
local body that had been more severely criticised than the Perth Fire Brigade.
Whether the criticism of the Town Council was justified or not, he was not to
say, but he thought the criticism, so far as the Fire Brigade was concerned, was
altogether too severe and most unjust; unjust in this respect, that he thought
they had a body of men capable of doing the work which they were called upon to
do. He thought they were all agreed that the men went to their work with a
bravery and heroism which could not have been surpassed. If the criticism had
been confined to the equipment, he would have agreed. The men were certainly
seriously handicapped for want of better equipment, but that had been overcome
by the generosity of Miss Pennycuick, when she supplied the town with two of the
latest fire engines—(applause)—and the most up-to-date appliances. Now he
thought they could look forward with pride to Perth as possessing one of the
best equipped Fire Brigades in the country. Having been supplied with such
handsome gifts, the Town Council, with the object of acquiring premises for
their accommodation, purchased that building, which they had altered and
extended. On the ground floor provision had been made for an engine room holding
two of Dennis’ latest 65 horse power fire engines, each capable of delivering
500 gallons per minute. Both machines carried 35 feet scale ladders along with
twenty four 100 feet lengths of hose, with other fire appliances. At the back of
the engine-room were the racks for storing the hose after being washed, dried
and repaired. In the floor of the engine room there was a pit for cleaning and
repairing the under portions of the engines.
It would be observed that the doors of the engine room were rapidly and easily
opened by a patent cord attachment with almost instantaneous action. The room in
which they were seated housed the steamer, and located in that section was the
Firemaster’s office and watch room, to which all the firemen’s houses in the
flats above were connected by electric call bells. The workshops were located to
the rear of the engine rooms, and embraced engineering, tinsmith and paint
shops.
The hose tower, which was 60 feet high, and a most important and useful adjunct
to the station—it, too, was the gift of Miss Pennycuick—was adapted to hold
thirty 100 feet lengths of hose. The boiler flue from the heating chamber was
carried up inside the tower by means of metal piping so as to engender the
necessary heat for hose drying purposes. The courtyard, which was used for drill
and general cleaning purposes was entered off King Edward Street, and connected
directly with the station. Below the floor of the yard was located a petrol bulk
storage tank of 200 gallons capacity.
The station was lit by electricity, and was heated throughout by hot water. Hot
water was also supplied to the firemen’s houses, which were located along with
the Firemaster in the flats above. In conclusion, ex-Bailie Stewart stated that
the Fire Station would be open for inspection by the citizens for a week, and he
hoped many of them would take an opportunity of inspecting the premises.
The Lord Provost thereafter handed a gold key to Miss Pennycuick, with which,
amidst applause, she opened the door.
Miss Pennycuick expressed her thanks, and said she would treasure the key as a
memento of the pleasant times she had had in Perth since she came to live in the
Fair City. (Applause)
Lord Provost Dewar said he felt sure that there was one person in the room who
would prefer that he should say nothing about her at all, and that was Miss
Pennycuick, but he could not let that opportunity slip of saying how much they
in Perth owed to her. In these days of high income tax, still higher super tax,
and very high rates: when they paid these various items in their yearly budget
they somehow felt that hey had done their duty to the country—and he had a
sneaking feeling of sympathy towards that attitude. But Miss Pennycuick had not
been content with that but had helped her town in a way that it would be
difficult to repay. Sometimes such a gift was hedged round with conditions
because the donor wished to impose his or her own ideas on the community, but
Miss Pennycuick’s gift had been free front all conditions, so that they I could
do whatever they wished with it. That was the type of gift which one
appreciated, and which from the point of view of the town was eminently
valuable. (Applause) She had said in effect—“I want Perth to have finest fire
fighting machine in Scotland for a town of its size,’’ and ‘‘We have got it,’’
said his Lordship. On behalf of a grateful city and from the bottom of a
grateful heart he thanked her. (Applause)
Mr D. A. Stewart, architect, said that on behalf of Miss Pennycuick he had to
thank the Lord Provost for his kind words. He could assure them that he would
not be consulting Miss Pennycuick’s wishes if he made a long speech. He had only
to thank them for their great kindness.
Mr Stewart thereafter, on his own behalf and on behalf of the contractors,
presented ex-Bailie Stewart with a handsome silver tea service, which he asked
him to hand over to his good lady. The gift was in appreciation of the great
amount of work which the Bailie had undertaken in the re-organisation of the
Fire Brigade and in the re-construction
of the Fire Station.
Ex-Bailie Stewart thanked the contractors
for their generous gift. The little he has done in the re-organisation of the
Fire Brigade and the completion of these buildings has been a work of pleasure
to him. He thought it was the duty of every citizen to do his best for his
native city, and that was the only purpose he had in view in any work he had
done.
After the company had inspected the Station, Miss Pennycuick pulled the cord
which automatically threw open the doors, and the two engines with their staffs
complete proceeded into City Hall Square, where, in presence of a large crowd,
and under the direction of Firemaster W. J. Paterson, they proceeded to give a
very smart exhibition of their skill as fire fighters. Afterwards the company
was entertained to tea in the Lesser City Hall.
In the evening, and through the kindness of a prominent Perth gentleman, the
members of the Fire Brigade, with their lady friends, together with the Lord
Provost, Magistrates, and Town Councillors, were entertained to a thoroughly
enjoyable dance in the Lesser City Hall. The arrangements were most admirably
made by ex-Bailie Stewart and Mr Paterson, the pleasure of the evening being
added to by the excellent dance music provided by Young’s Orchestra. The M. C.’s
were Messrs C. Winton and R. Duncan, the purveying being done by Messrs J. Hewat
& Son.
During the course of the evening a fire alarm was given, and the men on duty
faded out into the night, and were on their way to the seat of the outbreak
within a couple of minutes. To their intense satisfaction they found on arriving
at Needless Road that some nervous individual had called them out to extinguish
some smouldering rubbish, and within a quarter of an hour again they were
tripping it with the best.
Amongst those who accepted invitations were :—Lord Provost Dewar, Dean of Guild
Henderson and Mrs Henderson, Bailie Ross and Mrs Ross, Bailie Hunter and Mrs
Hunter, Bailie Taylor and Mrs Taylor, Treasurer M’Cracken and Miss M’Cracken,
Councillor P. Baxter, Sir Samuel Chapman, M.P., and Lady Chapman, Councillor
Downie and Mrs Downie, ex.Bailie Gowans and Mrs Gowans, Councillor Heatley and
Mrs Heatley, ex-Bailie Macpherson and Mrs Macpherson, Councillor Munro and Mrs
Munro, Councillor R. Stewart and Mrs Stewart, Conncillor Traill and Miss Traill,
Mr John Wood and Councillor Mrs Wood, Councillor W. J. Wood, Councillor J.
Stewart, Messrs W. Keay, and R. Duncan, Mr and Mrs J. Robertson, Mr and Mrs J.
Connon, Mr and Mrs J. Taylor, Mr and Mrs T. Abbott, Mr and Mrs G. Ewart, Mr and
Mrs A. Tulloch, Mr and Mrs C. Winton, Mr and Mrs A Curr, Mr and Mrs T. Clark, Mr
J. Smith, Mr and Mrs F. Alexander, Messrs J. Lamont, R. Watt, and T. Smith, Mr
and Mrs A. Stein. Mr and Mrs A. Honeyman, Mr and Mrs F. Gracie, Mr and Mrs J.
Garvie, Mr A. Given, Mr and Mrs C. Harris, Mr D. Mackenzie, Mr and Mrs J. M’Ewan,
Mr W. Steel, Mr H. Douglas, Depute Town Clerk, and Mrs Douglas, Mr G. Walker,
Town Officer, and Miss Walker, Mr R. Todd, Town Clerk’s Department, and Mrs
Todd, Mr and Mrs Don, Mr D. Hislop, Miss Simpson, Mr Harris Hunter; Miss Lee,
Matron of the Fever Hospital; Mr and Mrs L. Munro, Miss J Malcolm, Miss M’Rae,
Mr and Mrs A. J. M’Donald, Miss Simpson, Mr and Mrs James Currie, Mr and Mrs
John Norval, Mr Wm. M’Cracken, Mr and Mrs W. Scott, Miss M’Adam, Miss Grieve,
Miss M’Rae, Miss Nairn, Miss M. Paterson, Dr. Parker Stewart, etc.
(Perthshire Advertiser, December 23, 1922.)
New Perth fire station comes into operation
The fire engines of Perth City division of the Perth and
Kinross Fire Brigade will turn out from the King Edward Street fire station for
the last time this weekend. The occasion will be the final stage of the
division's "flitting" to their new station in Longcauseway.
The new station. which also houses the brigade's control room, comes into
commission from 8-30 a.m. tomorrow. From that time, all emergency calls will be
dealt with from the brigade control at the new station, and only the brigade's
headquarters and administrative and fire prevention departments will continue to
operate from 11 King Edward Street.
Firemaster Mr A. Masson stressed: "From Sunday there will be nobody in this
place except during normal business hours. There will be nobody here in the
evenings or at night and it will be no use banging on the doors."
The brigade are retaining the upper storeys of the King Edward Street station
for their administrative and fire prevention departments, but they are vacating
the ground floor which will then be available for let.
The building in King Edward Street has been in use as the city's fire station
since 1921, when it was converted from a block of shops and a billiards saloon.
In recent years it has been "bursting at the seams" and unable to meet the
brigade's requirements.
The new six bay station at Longcauseway has accommodation for all the firemen's
requirements, full training facilities and also accommodation for stores and the
maintenance of appliances and equipment.
The flitting there started about a year ago, when the new workshop accommodation
was completed, and has been continuing gradually as the new buildings were
completed. The tempo of the move was stepped up last week when the builders
finally moved out and the whole job will be completed tomorrow morning.
A total of about 70 people - firemen and civilian personnel - move into the new
station from King Edward Street premises.
Although in commission as from tomorrow, the new station will not be officially
opened until sometime in September. A definite date has yet to be fixed for the
ceremony.
(Perthshire Advertiser, Saturday, July 24, 1971. Page ?)
<PHOTO> The new city fire station at Longcauseway which will come into use on
Sunday. It will be officially opened in September. (Perthshire Advertiser,
Saturday, July 24, 1971. Back page)
Better training facilities at new fire station
Lord Provost David K. Thomson officially opened Perth and Kinross Fire
Brigade's new station at Longcauseway on Wednesday. The station is equipped for utmost
efficiency, not surprisingly since fire fighting is a business where a few second's delay
can be disastrous.
Sophisticated communications ensure a swift departure for fire tenders when the alarm is
raised. If you dial 999, an operator at the telephone exchange will ask for your exchange
and number, then immediately use a direct line to the service you require.
If there is a fire in Perth, tenders will leave from the Longcauseway station immediately.
The Perth control room is also in direct contact with 15 retained stations throughout the
area. These sub-stations are situated at Coupar Angus, Alyth, Blairgowrie, Dunkeld,
Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Killin, Comrie, Crieff, Auchterarder, Dunblane, Doune, Callander,
Aberfoyle and Kinross.
Contact can be made by direct line to any of these stations and a tender can be on the
road ONLY THIRTY SECONDS after the 999 call has been made.
The new station, with six appliances, is one of the largest in Scotland. The area that the
Perth and Kinross Fire Brigade serves is very wide however.
Firemaster Mr A. Masson says "This is a functional station without any undue
trimmings. It is about the minimum size to cater for the needs of Perth and Perthshire
and, of course, Kinross."
There is accommodation for about 50 firemen in the new buildings. About 17 firemen work
each of the eight hour shifts. When the men are not fighting fires, attending accidents
and other special services, they are working to keep the appliances and gear in top
working order.
The greatest advantage of the new premises over the old station in King Edward Street,
which still houses much of the administrative and fire prevention departments is the scope
for training the men.
At the rear of the appliance bays, whose wide frontage and exit is a special feature of
the station, is situated a 65 feet high training tower which the firemen use in exercises
requiring their turntable ladders.
Behind the tower there is a special building which is used to recreate the situations that
a fireman can face. This building can be filled with smoke and intense heat, using fan
heaters at the end of the building. Firemen, wearing breathing apparatus, must enter this
inferno to "rescue" dummies from "rooms" of the building.
Other buildings in the complex, which is estimated to have cost about £250,000,
accommodate storerooms and workshops for the maintenance of appliances and equipment.
Business as usual - despite opening!
Some men of the Perth and Kinross Fire Brigade's Perth staff missed the
opening of the new Perth station on Wednesday when they were called out only minutes
before the opening ceremony.
Guests were already arriving for the ceremony when some of the men had to turn out for
what proved to be a minor outbreak at 4 Jeanfield Road, not far from the new premises.
The new station, which cost £1/4 million, was opened by Lord Provost D. K. Thomson, who,
after declaring the station open, made a 999 to the control room and asked for the
station's alarm to be sounded.
Lord Provost Thomson said the pervious city fire station had, for far to long, been in a
central area, amid much congestion, when precious minutes lost could give a fire a better
chance to gain a hold. The new station was in a strategic position and almost in the
centre of the "new" Perth.
Such buildings and equipment, he went on, were a great aid but would be useless unless the
personnel had expertise, initiative and above all, courage and these attributes were there
in plenty among the Perth firemen.
Chairman of the Perth and Kinross Fire Brigade Joint Committee, Mr John Kid, said the
opening of the new station was the climax to his committee's efforts to modernise the
brigade.
These efforts had been directed first towards the provision of country stations for
retained firemen; the provision of adequate facilities for the professional fulltime
firemen coming last on the building programme.
Mr Kidd presented minature firemen's axes as momentoes of the occasion to the Lord Provost
and to Hon. Treasurer A.U. Cross, vice chairman of the brigade committee, who proposed the
vote of thanks.
During the ceremony, the Lady Provost, Mrs J.A.C. Grant, presented long service and good
conduct medals to the following:- Deputy Firemaster McMurtie (25 yrs.), Divisional Officer
Nelson (23 yrs.), Asst. Div. Officer Muir (24 yrs.), Station Officer Curr ( 21 yrs.),
Station Officer Macdonald A. ( 25 yrs.), Sub Officer Clark ( 25 yrs), Sub Officer Christie
( 25 yrs.), Fireman Lawton ( 22 yrs.), Fireman Macaskill ( 21yrs.), Fireman Newton (
25yrs.).
<Photo> The main building at Perth's new fire station with the garaging
accommodation for appliances on the left and, on the right, the operational rooms, offices
and quarters for personnel.
<Photo> Lord Provost Thomson officially opens the new fire station by dialling
"999". He is being watched by Hon. Treasurer A. U. Cross, vice chairman of Perth
and Kinross Joint Fire Committee. Also pictured is the Firemaster, Mr A. Masson.
<Photo> The main console in the control room of Perth's new fire station. It
controls very sophisticated fire warning and call out system.
<Photo> The kitchen in the personnel quarters at the new fire station.
<Photo> The Lady Provost, Mrs J. A. C. Grant, presented long service awards to
(l. to r.) - Fireman N. McAskill (21 years' service), Assistant Divisional
Officer J. R. Muir (24 years), Sub Officer G. Clark (25 years), and Deputy
Firemaster D. McMurtie (25 years).
<Photo> Also recipients of long service awards at Wednesday's ceremony (l to r,)
- Sub Officer R. Christie (25 years), Station Officer D. Curr (21 years),
Divisional Officer J. Nelson (23 years), Fireman E. Lawton (22 years) and
Fireman L. Newton (25 years).
<Photo> Part of the audience at the official opening of Perth's new fire
station.
(Perthshire Advertiser, Saturday, October 2, 1971. Page )
Manpower Shortage
The opening this week of Perth's new fire station makes this an
appropriate time to acknowledge a debt we all owe to a section of the community which does
not receive enough public recognition for the many vitally important duties it performs.
We take most of our emergency services for granted. Firemen are no exception. We assume
they'll be there when needed - in times of fire, of course; at serious road accidents in
which the victim may be trapped in his car; flooding; and countless other emergencies
great and small.
But a warning has been sounded this week that in some parts of the country, the fire
service is facing a critical manpower shortage.
Mr John Jackson, Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland, in his report for
1969 and 1970 states that increasing demands made on the fire service, both on the
operational and on the fire prevention fronts, have had to be met in spite of the fact
that many brigades are under manned.
At the end of 1970, the total wholetime male strength of the fire service in Scotland was
2733 - 346 short of the authorised establishment.
Although recruitment was slightly better than in the past, the result was largely offset
by the numbers retiring on completion of service.
"Throughout the country the wholetime manpower situation has not shown any really
marked improvement though the trend in recruitment was moving in a favourable direction in
the later part of 1970 and the number of men in post at December 1970 was in fact the
highest for a number of years.
"Bearing in mind the large exodus expected of men retiring in 1972 and 1973 it is to
be hoped that the level of the intake of recruits will continue to improve during 1971.
Restrictions on public expenditure placed on fire authorities in January, 1968, in the
light of the national economic situation had not been lifted by the end of 1970, Mr
Jackson says. One result of this was that the establishments had not been increased to
meet the pressing need for additional training of brigade personnel, particularly on fire
prevention work.
The economic situation may, however, solve Mr Jackson's manpower problem. In times of
heavy unemployment, recruitment into organisations like the fire service, police etc.
always increases. Now is the time for the fire service to advertise itself as a worthwhile
career for a young man.
(Perthshire Advertiser, Saturday, October 2, 1971. Editorial Page )
The tower of Perth's new fire station dominates the western area of the city. The
station, one of the most up to date and well equipped stations in the country, supercedes
the former station in King Edward Street, which also long provided a highly efficient
service, and was equipped to the highest standards then prevailing.
The generous gift of two motor fire engines by Miss Rachael Pennycuik, of Murrayfield,
Craigie, in the aftermath of the First World War had persuaded the council to proceed with
the modernisation of the service, and the transfer from the old station in the City
Chambers in Tay Street to the new building in King Edward Street.
Several major fires within the city had accelerated the project, and Miss Pennycuik
further defrayed the cost of the tower in King Edward Street. She was honoured by being
made a Free Burgess of the city in 1921.
The King Edward Street Station, which also housed the firemaster and certain officers, is
presently the object of an interesting shopping development, and will shortly disappear
from the city scene in its present form.
The Feus Road/West High Street site allows much greater space and facilities, allowing a
much speedier, turn out than the restricted city centre site provided.
(Perth Advertiser, October 21, 1980. Page 12)
Hose Tower, Fire Station Building, King Edward Street
For 60 years a prominent feature in the city centre, the recently demolished hose tower
was erected by a bequest from the late Miss Rachael Pennycuik, of Murrayfield, Cragie, and
then described as "the most unique gift ever given to the municipality".
Miss Pennycuik had already gifted two of the latest type of fire engines. Several severe
conflagrations had caused much damage and apprehension in the city. The older generation
will remember the somewhat primitive fire apparatus emerging from the pend in Tay Street
below the city chambers. The gift of the two engines prompted the Town Council to proceed
with the development of the King Edward Street Station to the highest standards
prevailing.
The large tenement block housing the Station, imposing in red sandstone, provided domestic
accommodation for the firemaster and some firemen, others resided nearby in such places as
Marshall's Buildings, with call out alarm bells provided.
Miss Pennycuik, though a native of Morayshire, evinced much public spirit for
the adopted city, which was recognised by the presentation of the Freedom of the
City on June 21, 1921. (The rest of the article is not fire service related.)
(Perth Advertiser, March 12, 1982. Page 12)
£97,000 extension for Perth fire station
A £97,000 extension
to be built to the Divisional Fire Brigade Headquarters in Longcauseway, Perth,
it was agreed in principal at a Tayside Region Police and Fire sub-committee
meeting this week.
The extension will accommodate the divisional commander, training officer and
fire prevention department. Minor internal alterations will also be carried out
to the main headquarters building to house the brigade’s administrative
department.
The committee was told that, at present, the divisional commander,
administration, training and fire protection departments are accommodated in a
temporary building at the rear of the main station complex.
This building is estimated by the region’s director of architectural services to
have a life span of some five to 10 years. It attracts a high level of annual
running and maintenance costs, however, which are likely to increase, and
various options were considered.
The meeting was told that immediate provision of a new, permanent extension
would allow the temporary building and the ground to the rear of the main
building to be disposed of. It was also the best financial solution, largely
because of the immediate reduction in running costs.
The solution also had the advantage of bringing all of the divisional
headquarters staff under one roof and, as the most likely location of the
extension was at the front of the main building, of restricting access, by
visiting members of the public to a more readily supervised area.
As a result of difficulties experienced with the existing electric underfloor
heating system in the main building, investigations are currently being
undertaken into the feasibility of alternative means of heating.
Should they reveal that a new system is required it will be installed prior to,
or simultaneously with, the new extension.
When the extension is complete the existing temporary buildings and land will be
leased to another regional council department.
(Perth Advertiser, August 22, 1986. Page 5)
If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.
SFRS NORTH SDA STATIONS