A plaque has been unveiled for a Scottish firefighter who died in the line of duty, on the 44th anniversary of his death.
On 29th October 1978 Firefighter Alexander (Sandy) Drummond of Inveraray Fire Station lost his life fighting a fire which badly damaged the Crinan Hotel in Argyll.
As well as serving as a firefighter Mr Drummond was a former town and county councillor and magistrate, being described as a “noted member of the community” in The Oban Times at the time of his death.
The unveiling ceremony was held on Saturday the 29th of October 2022 at Inverary Fire Station, where the plaque is now situated.
The plaque is a Red Plaque. The Red Plaque Scheme is a Fire Brigades Union initiative to commemorate firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The ceremony included speeches from FBU senior officials and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service senior officers, with an FBU piper and SFRS Heritage group vehicles also in attendance.
FBU Regional Treasurer, Seona Hart, said: “Since 2017, the Red Plaque Scheme has created memorials for firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, with each Red Plaque commemorating a moment in local history and offering a place of reflection for the community.
“Each Red Plaque is funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery, a charitable initiative run by the Fire Brigades Union. Since the commencement of this scheme, Red Plaques remembering over fifty firefighters have been presented across the UK, with each plaque unveiled at a ceremony attended by serving firefighters, FBU representatives, community members, fire chiefs and the family, friends and former colleagues of fallen firefighters”
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “It is vital we remember firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Firefighters will always fight to make sure that happens. Every day firefighters go to work not knowing if they will come home or not. The tremendous bravery and sacrifice of those who lose their lives in the line of duty should always be commemorated and red plaques help make sure that that is the case.”
The Red Plaque scheme is one of a number of projects funded by the FBU’s Firefighter 100 lottery. The money raised by the lottery is supplemented by money from the FBU itself. The Firefighter 100 lottery can be entered by anyone who wishes to help by using www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk.
The Red Plaque scheme
The Red Plaque scheme was set up during the Fire Brigade Union’s centenary with the aim of establishing memorials to firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
The scheme involves engaging local FBU members, family members or members of the community to work with the union to place a unique plaque. Each plaque bears a similar inscription which honours the bravery and sacrifice of the firefighter whose name appears on the plaque.