COURIER COUNTRY’S retained fire stations must be safeguarded under plans to create a single service, a local MSP said.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has called for a guarantee from the Scottish Government.
There are currently 241 retained fire stations and 61 volunteer fire stations, largely based in rural areas of Scotland.
Tayside and Fife contains 25 of them, with a further nine in the Central Scotland Fire Service area.
Ms Smith said: “There is an ever-growing number of questions regarding the future of community-based retained fire stations under the SNP Scottish Government’s proposed single fire and rescue structures.
“With the SNP Government pressing ahead with new single police and fire service structures, SNP ministers must provide adequate assurances that the new structures will retain the current retained fire stations.
“Most retained fire stations are provided to meet the needs of emergencies in rural communities. There is real concern that these could face cuts due to the limited number of call outs which they respond to.”
Tayside Fire and Rescue has strategically located retained fire stations at Aberfeldy, Alyth, Arbroath, Auchterarder, Balmossie, Blairgowrie, Brechin, Carnoustie, Comrie, Coupar Angus, Crieff, Dunkeld, Forfar, Kinross, Kirriemuir, Montrose, and Pitlochry.
Fife Fire Service has strategically-located retained fire stations based at, Anstruther, Auchtermuchty, Burntisland, Cupar, Newburgh, St Andrews, St Monans, and Tayport.
Central Scotland Fire Service has strategically-located retained fire stations based at Aberfoyle, Balfron, Bridge of Allan, Callander, Doune, Dunblane, Killin, Slammanan, and Tlllicoultry.
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk