Establishment 2000

                                                            Equipment                                             Wholetime                                             Retained

                                                            3 Water Tender Ladders                     4 Station Officers                                 1 Sub Officer
                                                            1 Aerial Ladder Platform                     4 Sub Officers                                       2 Leading Firefighters
                                                            1 Control Unit                                       8 Leading Firefighters                         7 Firefighters
                                                                                                                          46 Firefighters

 The Wholetime Establishment is split over 4 watches of 1 Station Officer, 1 Sub Officer, 2 Leading Firefighters and 11 Firefighters (Red, White, Blue and Green) working a 2 days, 2 nights, 4 days off rota which gives an average of 40 hours per week. And 2 other firefighters somewhere.

A new fire station to serve Falkirk and Grangemouth and the eastern district of Stirlingshire was officially opened at Falkirk yesterday by Mr George McLaren, chairman of the Central Fire Area Joint Committee. The station which cost £32,000 to build, will be known as the east fire station. It displaces two existing stations in Falkirk and Grangemouth, concentrating under one roof the three separate detachments of the service. Mr McLaren said that it was proposed to continue the building programme by erecting new stations at Kirkintilloch, Dumbarton, Larbert, Clydebank and Alloa.
(The Glasgow Herald, 4th March, 1955. Page 9.)

FALKIRK’S £32,000 FIRE STATION

Mr. George McLaren, C.B.E., County Convener and Chairman of the Central Joint Area Fire Committee yesterday afternoon officially opened the new Fire Station in Grangemouth Road which will serve both Grangemouth and Falkirk. The new premises have been built at an estimated cost of £32,000 and are among the first in Scotland to be authorised since pre-war days.
One of the main factors in securing this priority was the very large risk which is experienced in Grangemouth with so many industries dealing with highly inflamable materials.

MOST MODERN

The Depot is a great improvement on the previous accommodation which the Fire Brigade have had to use and the most modern improvements of design are incorporated. The four main exit doors can be opened within three seconds of a button being pressed at the telephone switchboard. This board is a masterpiece of skill and ingenuity and incorporates several ideas of the Firemaster, Mr. J. T. Davidson, O.B.E.
Where premises have automatic alarms installed these alarms also set a bell ringing in the switchboard and an indicator shows which firm is affected. A further indicator shows if the alarm is due to a line fault or an actual fire. The possibility of human error is eliminated.
There are 32 men on the strength working a 10 hour day shift and a fourteen hour night shift. The men’s dormitories are on the top floor and combine comfort with utility in a most satisfying fashion.

IN SIXTY SECONDS

Deputy Firemaster J. D. McNicol, M.B.E. told a Falkirk Mail reporter this week that on an alarm being given the men can dress and man the appliance within sixty seconds using the traditional pole to reach the garage.
An up to date kitchen (including a refrigerator), an attractive dining room and a spacious recreation room with all the usual facilities are also provided. Drying rooms and lockers also provide amenities which the men have not been enjoying before and the general feeling among them is that a great improvement has been effected.
A high standard of workmanship has been shown in the construction and local contractors taking part were George Campbell and Son, Falkirk (plumbing) and The Falkirk Glazing Co., Ltd. (glazing).
Among those present at yesterday’s ceremony were Sir Charles Cunningham, Secretary to the Scottish Home Department; H. M. Inspector of Fire Services, Mr. A.D. Wilson; Provosts R. H. Watson and J. J. S. Binnie; Bailie J. Middlemass and representatives of other local authorities in the Committee’s area.
(The Falkirk Mail, Friday, 4th March 1955. Page 2.)

FIRED UP ON VISIT TO OPEN STATION

Falkirk’s impressive new fire station was given the royal seal of approval this week when Princess Anne was guest of honour at the official unveiling of the £2.4 million facility.
Central Scotland Fire Brigade’s station at Westfield became operational just days before the Princess Royal’s visit on Monday.
But she must have left suitably impressed after a whistle stop tour of the plush new premises conducted by Firemaster Ian Adam.
The Princess, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant, Lt. Col. James Stirling, was greeted by Falkirk Provost Dennis Goldie, Falkirk Council chief executive Mary Pitcaithly and George Matchett, chief superintendent at Central Scotland Police, as well as a proud Mr Adam.
Her Royal Highness, wearing a dark navy coat and gloves to protect her from the biting cold and rain, met guests, including councillors serving on Central Scotland Fire Board, the architects and contractors behind the station, firefighters and station personnel.
She braved a brief downpour for an inspection of new and old fire engines. The brigade has a preservation society which collects and maintains veteran appliances, some dating back as far as pre-war.
The Princess was shown the station’s state of the art training facilities before unveiling a commemorative plaque in the appliance room.
The Princess told the audience of invited guests she hoped the station would serve the community for many years to come and paid tribute to the work of the fire service locally.
Mr Adam presented her with a bronze statue of a Victorian firefighter saving a young female life, before Graeme High School’s head girl Erin Lee handed over a bouquet.
Outside, the Princess met three of Erin’s schoolmates, alongside children from nearby Victoria Primary.
Erin said the Princess had expressed an interest in what the teenagers were planning to do when they left school next year.
Before leaving the station, the Princess spoke to part time firefighter Katrina Syed, a local stonemason responsible for designing and producing the commemorative cover for a time capsule.
Both schools will be making contributions to the capsule which is to be buried outside the station in the near future.
The brigade has moved to the new two storey building from its previous base in Grangemouth Road, Falkirk, which is now up for sale.
Mr Adam said later: "We were pleased that the Princess, who is held in such high affection and respect for her work in the Falkirk area, honoured us by agreeing to carry out the opening ceremony.
"Her visit was a great occasion for the brigade."
<PHOTO> A historic day for Firemaster Ian Adam as Princess Anne opens Central Scotland Fire Brigade’s station in Falkirk.
<PHOTO> NOW OPEN: Princess Anne admires the plaque marking the official opening ceremony at Westfield.
There were other photos of people being introduced to the Princess.
(Falkirk Herald, Thursday September 30, 1999. Page 2)

1897/98 1 Superintendent, 1 Captain and 9 Firemen. Station in Newmarket Street.

1913 1 Firemaster, 1 Captain and 9 Firemen. Station in Newmarket Street.

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