Tag: Scottish Fire and Recue Service

Remembering Ewan Williamson

Firefighters paused to remember colleague Ewan Williamson who died fifteen years ago at the Balmoral Bar fire in Edinburgh

A Commemoration Service was held at the James Braidwood statue on Parliament Square in Edinburgh on Friday, 12 July and was attended by Firefighter Williamson’s family, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer Ross Haggart, Deputy Lord Provost, Lezley Marion, as well as representatives from the Fire Brigades Union.

During the Service, a minute’s silence was observed followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

CO Haggart said: ” As we mark 15 years since he lost his life in the line of duty, Ewan Williamson and his loved ones will be in the thoughts of firefighters everywhere.

“Ewan’s ultimate sacrifice reminds us of all of the extraordinary lengths our firefighters go to protect our communities.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service honours Ewan’s dedication and bravery.  We commemorate his life and work with pride, and we will ensure he is remembered always.”

Ewan’s family described him as having a “an infectious smile and a huge heart that we have missed every day since his tragic passing”. They told those who gathered at the service that their thoughts are with the families of every firefighter who watch their loved ones routinely put themselves in harm’s way.

At 00:38am, on 12 July 2009, Firefighter Williamson was a member of the first attending crews at a fire in the basement of the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road in Edinburgh.

As the devastating fire spread, Ewan and his colleagues were deployed to tackle the fire in the basement and ground floor levels. This enabled other SFRS personnel to carry out multiple rescues of occupants from domestic flats in the three floors above, whose lives were endangered by the smoke and flames.

Ewan, 35, who was a member of the Green Watch at Tollcross Fire Station, entered the building wearing breathing apparatus as part of the efforts to extinguish the fire. Tragically, he became trapped during firefighting operations and lost his life in the line of duty.

A total of 16 people, including a baby, were rescued that night, an outcome that could have been very different had it not been for the bravery of Ewan and his colleagues responding to the incident.

Fire Brigades Union Regional Chair, Gus Sproul, said: “Firefighter Ewan Williamson paid the ultimate sacrifice serving the public.

“15 years on from this tragic fire, the FBU and our members continue to reflect on his loss. Ewan will never be forgotten, his family, colleagues and friends are in our thoughts today.”  

Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, Depute Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, said: “Today on the 15-year anniversary of the Balmoral Bar fire at which Firefighter Ewan Williamson tragically lost his life, we honour Ewan’s memory, his service and his sacrifice.  

“On that fateful day, and on every day since; as is the case today, and shall be tomorrow, those working in our emergency services face danger and risk with bravery and courage in their duty to keep each of us, and our communities, safe.   

“This is public service of the most noble and selfless kind. 

“The debt we owe, and our duty to each of them is to do all we can to ensure everyone facing danger and risk on the frontline are kept as safe and secure as possible in their line of duty.” 

Two King’s Fire Service Medals awarded in New Year’s Honours

Two members of staff from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) with a combined 65 years of service have been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM).

On call firefighter, Watch Commander David Gibson is based at Penicuik Community Fire Station and has spent over 44 years helping to protect his local community, while Iain Morris, Head of Asset Management has over 20 years of service overseeing SFRS buildings, equipment and vehicles.

His Majesty The King has recognised their efforts in the New Year’s Honours List.

As an on call firefighter, Watch Commander (WC) Gibson has balanced his role with SFRS while also working full time as a mental health nurse until he retired from the NHS in 2021.

He used his experience in mental health to become a Wellbeing Champion for SFRS, providing support to colleagues in the Midlothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders areas.

WC Gibson was also involved in the integration of the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) co-location at Penicuik Community Fire Station.

I am immensely proud and honoured to receive the King’s Fire Service Medal, even to be nominated by my peers, is very humbling.

David GibsonWatch Commander

He continued: “It has been a privilege for me to serve communities as an on call firefighters attending many notable emergency incidents and fires over the years, working with many great teams and individuals.

“I would like to thank all those that I have worked with and also my family for their unwavering support.”

As Head of Asset Management, Iain Morris oversees the administration of SFRS assets, which includes over 1,600 vehicles, thousands of items of equipment and over 600 buildings, as well being responsible for more than 200 staff.

Iain, who lives in Airdrie, started working with Strathclyde Fire Brigade in 2002 and has over 20 years of Fire Service experience. He has worked as Fleet Manager, Deputy Director of Operations and Head of Corporate Support

He took on the role of Head of Asset Management in 2013, at the formation of The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) from the eight legacy services.  For the last two years, Iain has worked as the Interim Director of Asset Management. 

During his time, Iain has driven forward many improvements in processes including initiatives to reduce carbon emissions across the estate. Iain and his team also ensured the SFRS corporate buildings along with stores and fleet workshops continued to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic.

On receiving his award, Iain said: “It is very humbling but an honour to receive the King’s Fire Service Medal and to have the work of Asset Management recognised within SFRS.

“I am part of a large team of professionals who are fully committed in supporting the Service to serve the communities of Scotland, as well as continually striving to make improvements.

Throughout the years, I have received overwhelming support from those I have worked with, and I would like to extend my thanks to them, as well as to my family.

Iain MorrisSFRS Head of Asset Management

Iain is also involved in the Veterans/Reservists Group and has helped SFRS achieve the Gold Standard for the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

For the last 10 years he has been the Honorary Vice President of the Scottish Fire Brigades Trust and has helped establish the Fire Museum and Heritage Centre in Greenock.

He served almost eight years as a Trustee of the SFRS Family Support Trust where he helped to raise the charity’s profile.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Think Before You Act

Our crews sometimes come under attack when attending incidents. If a firefighter or fire engine is attacked they can’t help someone who needs them.

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT.

Keep everyone safe: https://firescotland.gov.uk/outdoors/fireworks-and-bonfires/…

#BonfireSafety

Five deliberate fires started EVERY SINGLE DAY in Edinburgh

Firefighters in Edinburgh were called to tackle five deliberate fires EVERY SINGLE DAY during Spring last year – double the number than during the same period in 2018.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were mobilised to a total of 258 incidents of deliberate fire-raising within the Scottish capital between March and April 2019.

This is an increase of 100 per cent on the year before, when SFRS crews in Edinburgh were turned out to 128 needless blazes during the same period.

These fires were largely comprised of outdoor incidents impacting grasslands and refuse, but also included building and vehicle fires.

This “shocking” rise in is placing lives at risk, warned SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, Assistant Chief Officer Ross Haggart.

ACO Haggart said: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to deliberate fire setting and it is a small minority of individuals who are potentially putting themselves, our firefighters and innocent bystanders at risk of serious harm and injury.

“Make no mistake – fire can cause injury and death, it can be devastating to properties, businesses and the environment.

“Last year, witnessed a shocking rise in deliberate fire-raising during the Spring period.

“These incidents are a needless drain on our resources and can impact on our response to genuine emergencies – where lives might very well be at risk.

“The fact that our firefighters are called to thousands of deliberately set fires each year is completely unacceptable.

ACO Haggart was speaking as Scotland’s national fire and rescue services launched its #SpringSafety campaign. Across Scotland, the SFRS recorded a staggering 3,658 incidents of deliberate fire-raising during Spring last year – an increase of 97 per cent.

ACO Haggart warned that the SFRS will continue to do everything in its power to help Police Scotland trace those risking the safety of communities across Scotland.

He said: “It absolutely goes without saying that we prefer to prevent fires – not fight fires.

“But let me be very clear – we operate a strict zero tolerance approach to deliberate fire raising. It is reckless, selfish, and can have devastating consequences.

“We will continue to work very closely with our police and local authority partners to provide evidence that will ensure those responsible are identified and held to account for their actions.

“It is vital that we continue to remind people that deliberate fire setting is a crime and that a criminal record can affect future life and job opportunities – a price that can be easily avoided.”

Anyone with information about deliberate fire-raising should contact the free and confidential Crimestoppers helpline on 0800 555 111.

Fire Service welcomes search dogs from across the UK

The UK’s largest fire and rescue service played host to specialist dog units from across the country last weekend.

Highly trained canines from fire and police services across Britain descended on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s National Training Centre in Cambuslang from Friday, July 13 until Sunday, July 15.

The units, including International Search and Rescue (ISAR) and SFRS’ own urban search and rescue dog Diesel, came together for a joint training exercise led by ISAR.

A series of scenarios and exercises were set up to prepare the dogs for possible future incidents which included searching for casualties, agility training and even being lowered down the side of buildings in harnesses.

The handlers were also given a canine first aid training session by ISAR vet Francisco Ivens Brandāo.

Units from as far as London made the trip to Glasgow for the exercises.

SFRS instructor and dog handler Gary Carroll said: “The event brought fire and rescue colleagues from across the country together to share learnings and experiences.

“Across the weekend we had several challenging scenarios led by different instructors which allowed handlers to further train and expose their search dogs to new experiences.

“It was an extremely worthwhile event to arrange as many of the handlers – including myself can now add new training methods which will further challenge the skills of both ourselves and our dogs.”

Overheated laptop causes house fire

Fire chiefs warn: don’t leave charging devices unattended

laptop keyboard

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is warning the public about the danger of leaving devices unattended while charging after a laptop caught fire at a house in Falkirk yesterday.

Fortunately no-one was injured in the incident, but fire officers are urging the public to remember to unplug chargers before leaving home.

Watch Manager Mike Fitches said: “The fire was caused by an overheated laptop which had been left charging. The fire has caused extensive damage to the bedroom and some damage to the first floor.  Thankfully no one was at home at the time of the fire and we were alerted by workmen who were outside another house in the area.

“This incident had the potential to be even more serious and we can’t stress enough how important it is to unplug any chargers before you go out.

He added: “We would also urge everyone to ensure they have a working smoke alarm inside their property. We provide FREE home fire safety visits, including the fitting of smoke alarms where required.”

Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire and request a home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999 or visit the website at www.firescotland.gov.uk.