Establishment 2000

FIFE FIRE BRIGADE

FIRE STATION, NELSON STREET, TAYPORT.

OFFICIAL OPENING

By Provost James B. Pow, J.P.

Provost of Tayport

Saturday, 19th April, 1975

ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS

The Chairman of the Joint Committee will welcome guests and introduce the Provost of Tayport, James B. Pow, J.P. and invite him to open the Fire Station.

Vice Chairman will propose vote of thanks and make presentation to Provost Pow.

Provost Pow will be invited to initiate a test turn out.

Inspection of Crew by Provost Pow.

Inspection of Premises and Conducted Tour.

Buffet Tea

HISTORY OF FIFE FIRE BRIGADE IN TAYPORT

Early Tayport records show that in 1887, Tayport became a Burgh and was then involved in all the activities associated with setting up drainage, and sewage schemes, a water supply and so forth.
It is on record that between 1885 and 1886 a good deal was said about the inadequacy of the town’s water supply, being at that time supplied from public pumps and private wells all of which were considered by many to be unsatisfactory. Out of this controversy which according to one historian “reached very high tempo at times” came the decision to take a water supply from Dundee. Such an arrangement had already been made for the neighbouring burgh of Newport on Tay.
By 1890 an adequate water supply had been secured and thoughts were then given to the formation of a Burgh Fire Brigade. This fire fighting team was established in 1891 and functioned for a number of years under the lead of Walter Pillans who was a ‘well kent’ man of his time.
Though the appliances of the early Brigade were primative being in the main wheelbarrow transported by manpower the volunteer firemen served the town well until the introduction of the National Fire Service at the beginning of the Second World War.
In 1947 fire Brigades returned to Local Authority control and Tayport became a unit of Fife Fire Brigade under the control of the newly formed Fife Fire Area Joint Committee.
The war brought great advances in the type of fire engines available and at this time Tayport were operating with a motorised unit and trailer pump.
Further advances in appliance design saw the introduction of a Water Tender with trailer which was later replaced with a Water Tender with a built in pump, and is the one now used by the Tayport Unit. It carries 400 gallons of water and a light portable pump and is equipped with the most modern fire fighting equipment.
The opening of the new station at Tayport is part of the Fire Committee’s programme of modernisation of obsolete fire stations throughout the county and is the last one to be built by the Fife Fire Area Joint Committee before regionalisation when the Fire Brigade will come under the control of the Fife Regional Council.

Extracts from Various Meetings

Extract from Adjourned Meeting of the Tayport Police Commissioners 25th May, 1891.
“Messrs. Mill & Scott were authorised to obtain a Fire Reel and arrange for a Fire Brigade on as favourable terms as possible”.

Extract from minute of Quarterly Statutory Meeting of the Tayport Police Commissioners 11th July, 1892.
“Fire Hose”
It was unanimously resolved that the charges for use of hose and services of men should be as follows:
For use of reel – for the first 4 hours, 5/- per hour, thereafter 2/6 per hour.
For men engaged – for the first 3 hours 2/- each per hour and 1/- for each hour thereafter.
It was agreed to allow the man who first arrived at place of fire 2/6 over his ordinary pay.

Extract from Abstract of the Account for year ending 14th May, 1892.
“Expenditure – Fire Department £14. 1. 1.

MEMBERS OF FIFE FIRE AREA JOINT COMMITTEE

Chairman
Bailie W. A. Coull

Vice Chairman
Provost P. Y. Muir

Fife County Council
Commander D. E. G. Wemyss D.S.O., R.N.
Mrs. I. Pratt
Mr. P. Gemmell
Mr. R. Mill

Small Burghs
Councillor D. Duffy
Provost P. Y. Muir
Provost W. Sharp
Treasurer K. R. Hayward

Kirkcaldy Town Council
Bailie W. A. Coull
Councillor Mrs. G. Arnott
Councillor F. J. Hubbard

Dunfermline Town Council
Bailie Mrs. J. H. Mackie

Hon. Treasurer R. Gardiner
Bailie J. Furniss

Firemaster
F. Partington F.I.FireE., A.M.B.I.M.

CONTRACTORS

Architect
J. Fisher Dip. Arch., A.R.I.B.A., A.R.I.A.S.

Building
Plaster
Plumbing
Painting
Joinery
FIFE COUNTY COUNCIL, Works Department

Electrical and Heating
J. Baxter, Kirkcaldy

Tiler
R. J. Robertson & Co., Ltd., Dundee

Appliance bay doors
Westland Engineering Co., Yeovil, Somerset

Floor Coverings
Numire Contracts Ltd., Dundee

Tarmac
W. J. Dowds, Glenrothes

Tower
Rippin Structures, Auchtermuchty

Gardens
Fife County Council, Parks Department.
(Copy of Official Opening Programme. The front cover had a picture of the Firte Station on it.)

1952 crew photo.

DSP486 photo

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