A new 2 bay station was opened in October 1960.

Fire tender misses brigade’s big day

Official opening today

By Rosslyn Reid

Peterhead firefighters are geared up for the official opening of their £1.6 million station today.
But a road accident involving one of the brigade’s £250,000 vehicles has put a damper on spirits.
The 16 tonne tender with turntable was involved in a collision with a Ford Transit van towing a caravan on Thursday night. No one was injured.
The brigade vehicle was on the Aberdeen – Peterhead road on the way to a practice exercise for the Peterhead opening.
Station district officer David Bain said: “The accident has set things back a bit. But the planned display will still go ahead with another vehicle.
“We want to make this a fun weekend. However, we will still be bearing in mind that an investigation is continuing into the accident over the next few days.”
Mr Bain would not comment on whether any disciplinary action would be taken against the firefighter driving the vehicle and said the joint inquiry with Grampian Police was ongoing.
A report on the accident is being prepared by police and it will go to the procurator fiscal.
Around 200 people will attend the official opening led by Grampian Regional Council convener, Rhona Kemp, who will unveil a plaque at 2pm.
Other guests will include local councillors, firefighters and employers of the retained firefigfhters at the station.
A dedication ceremony by brigade chaplain Jim Weir will also take place.
Tomorrow the station will be open to the public from 1pm to 4pm. There will be stalls and a chance for local children to get behind the wheel of a fire tender.
The Statioin was completed in December 1994 and went operational in February this year.
The Windmill Road station is divided into three main sections – operational, fire safety and training.
“We employ 16 fulltime and 20 retained firefighters. And the new training complex provides the brigade with one of the most up to date training facilities in the country,” said Mr Bain.
Although there are only two fire appliances at Peterhead at present, the brigade is reviewing its strategy.
It will lead to three more special appliances being based there for dealing with specialised rescues, damage control and communications.
And as the next year rolls on, personnel at the station will also become involved in cliff rescues and offshore firefighting.
<PHOTO> Clean machine: firemen Conrad Whitson (left) and Robert Sturrock ensure their engine is gleaming. (washing the rear of L748KRS)
(Press and Journal, Saturday, August 26, 1995. Page 10.)

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