Establishment 2000

Establishment 2003

Brigade’s new workshops opened in Aberdeen

<PHOTO> Members of the North Eastern Fire Area Board, accompanied by Aberdeen’s Lord Provost John M. Graham, have a look round the North Eastern Fire Brigade’s new workshops and central stores at North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, which the Lord Provost officially opened yesterday.

N.-E. FIRE ADVANCE TO SAVE MONEY

Money spent on building up Britain’s fire fighting services would prove, in the long run, to be money well spent.
This was the sentiment echoed by Lord Provost John M. Graham of Aberdeen yesterday, when he officially opened the new workshops and central stores of the North Eastern Fire Brigade at North Anderson Drive.
The stores, built at a cost of £110,000, are the first phase in the development of the Board’s new operational and administrative headquarters-at present centred in King Street.
"In recent years the cost of fire in Britain has been going up at an alarming rate," said the Lord Provost. "Even the considerable expenditure that has been involved here is likely, in the end, to prove cheap when one realises the hazards the equipment has been designed to prevent."

Skilled service

Lord Provost Graham added that the opening of the workshops registered an advance made by a proficient service, for the whole of the North East of Scotland.
It was the fruit of a great deal of thoughtful, careful and skilful planning.
Earlier, Firemaster W. H. Woods said that there had been a certain amount of criticism about building the workshops and stores before the new fire station itself.
But he emphasied: "We consider this to be one of the most important parts of the service.
"Without well maintained machines and appliances which we know will not break down, we would not have an adequate fire fighting service."
More than fifty members of the Board, along with civic and county dignitaries, attended yesterday’s opening ceremony, which was presided over by Councillor G. Roberts, Board chairman.
(Aberdeen Press and Journal, October 11th, 1963.)

W. P. PAUL

It’s a small boy’s-and a fireman’s dream-come true. Translating it into reality cost about £110,000. And it’s money well spent on mechanical marvels and modern equipment for the North Eastern Fire Brigade at their new workshops and central stores in North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen. Lord Provost John M. Graham gave it the official "go" yesterday afternoon. There are 161 vehicles, pumps and appliances and seventy auxiliary portable pumping units attached to this brigade and due to the restricted workshop accommodation at the present H.Q. in King Street, maintenance vans were sent to each station for the inspection off vehicles. Now, with the opening of the new workshops, each vehicle and pumping unit will be brought into them for periodic checks at regular intervals.

A central station

This marks the completion of phase one in a progressive development plan-and it’s quite a plan. It all began way back in the pre 1939 days before Hitler set the world on fire. Aberdeen Town Council acquired a seven acre site, on part of which the new building now stands, to provide a central fire brigade station for the Aberdeen City Fire Brigade, as it was then.
During the "life" of the National Fire Service a temporary fire station was built there to provide cover for the expanding west end of the city, and on the transfer of the N.F.S., the North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board was constituted, responsible for fire fighting arrangements within the County of the City of Aberdeen, the counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine, and the joint county of Moray and Nairn.
Policy of the board is to further develop the site by the eventual provision of new operational and administrative H.Q. for the whole of this area. The workshops are designed to deal with the repair and maintenance of all the brigade vehicles and appliances and to economise in manpower by a combined mechanical and general stores for the provision of all other ancillary equipment throughout the operational zone. This of course means functional efficiency in all departments.
The area covered is 19,250 sq. ft., comprising main central workshop, 120 x 70ft., with lateral workshops along the two long sides. On the north side are located compressor section, tyre maintenance and store, oil store, machine shop, engine and unit fitting section, engine and component cleaning bay and battery and electrical section.

Extraction system

On the south side are the high pressure vehicle cleaning bay, pump testing bay, blacksmith’s shop and joiner’s shop. An extraction system has been installed to remove vehicle exhaust fumes during tests and tuning operations.
Boilerhouse, cellulosing shop and store are in the west wing, while the east wing, 70 x 60 ft., incorporates the mechanical and general stores, including tailoring shop, storekeepers and workshop offices, mess rooms, kitchen, locker room and toilet accommodation.
The central section of the main workshop, 120 x 30ft., is 35ft.high, designed to accommodate turntable ladders and escapes when extended for adjustment and repair. The plant house is sufficiently large to include the boiler plant for the H.Q. building.
Space heating throughout the entire workshops is provided by a low pressure hot water central heating system incorporating high level unit heaters which deliver warm air downwards into the working area. The stores and office section are heated by an underfloor hot water system.
Construction comprises steel framing with single pitched roof 120ft. long with an overall width of 90ft., and to obtain the necessary height of 35ft., two main longitudinal girders of 120ft. span are carried on heavy stanchions in the gable. The roof is covered in aluminium sheeting and lined inside with insulating material. Natural light is obtained from a large window in each gable and by patent roof glazing.
Gantries are carried on the frame and roof construction. Two three-ton trolleys run on beams erected along the full length of 120ft. on the south side. Two separate 1½ ton trolleys opposite the machine and engine shop on the north side are installed for the suspension of components over two work and inspection pits, the larger being about 30ft. in length.
Alongside the later are two twin-post lifts which facilitate the servicing of vehicles, and there is an oil disposal unit and ten grease and oil lines. A brake tester is capable of handling both light and heavy vehicles. It is installed opposite one of the main west doors.
This major development all adds up to the North Eastern Fire Brigade becoming one of the slickest and most efficient fire fighting organisations in Scotland, backed by the latest equipment for repair, maintenance and servicing. And in the offing, probably next year is a new main fire station and administrative H.Q.
<PHOTO> Of the building (no caption)
<PHOTO> An interior view of the new fire brigade workshops in Aberdeen
<PHOTO> Twin post lifts and an oil disposal unit in operation at the new workshops. A senior fire officer discusses details with the brigade's transport chief.
<PHOTO> A section of the stores, suggesting the multiplicity of items stocked.
(Aberdeen Press and Journal, October 11th, 1963).

It’s the best in Britain

NEW FIRE H.Q. WILL SOON BE FINISHED

Rapidly taking shape is the new headquarters of the North Eastern Fire Brigade on Anderson Drive.
Unlike the traditional fire station, this one when complete, will be the blueprint for the fire stations of the seventies, and "essentials" like the fireman’s pole will play a minor roll.
Efficiency is the keynote in any fire service, and during the gradual transfer from King Street to North Anderson Drive the efficiency has continued to improve rather than suffer.
Despite increased traffic causing more chaos on our roads, it is still the proud boast of the fire service that they can cover a fire at any point in Aberdeen within seven minutes of notification. Central areas are covered in a much shorter time.
The impression of the new HQ is one of space and cleanliness. The new workshops and central stores-phase one of the new HQ-were officially opened in October of 1963. At the same time the old system of using firemen to maintain and service vehicles was terminated.

Overhauled

The workshops are manned by civilians and every one of the 120 vehicles stationed at the 40 fire stations in the area covering Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Banff, Kincardine, Moray and Nairn is overhauled at regular intervals.
The administration involved in this operation is considerable, because reserve vehicles have to take the place of their regulars during their period in "dock".
Firemaster William Woods, always to the forefront with ideas, was responsible for the basic design of the workshops, and visitors cannot help but be impressed by the up-to-date machinery and cleanliness.
The roof of the workshops is impressively high. This is to allow vehicles with turntables to be tested indoors. The traditional red fire engines are almost out in this area now being replaced by aluminium vehicles which have a greater heat resistance, are easier and cheaper to maintain and are as easily identified by the public.
The central stores attached to the workshops carry several thousand £’s of equipment. Everything from stockings for firewomen to spare resuscitation gear, electric bulbs, spare engine parts, hoses, etc.
The store too is spacious and leaves room for expansion in the future. On the end of the workshops is the spray paint bay which is maintained at a constant temperature of 70 degs. All vehicles are regularly painted where necessary and, according to the Firemaster, that includes the parts underneath, which are not visible.
Several of the vehicles, I noticed had wooden ladders, and I was surprised to learn from Firemaster Woods that wooden ladders are still reckoned to be better than metal ones for many jobs.
They are safer where there is a danger of electricity; they are more resistant to fire than metal, and they are more easily maintained in their workshops where new sides, rungs, in fact complete ladders, can be rebuilt.
Also on the seven acre site is the Firemaster’s house.

Gymnasium

On the south side of the yard are the buildings, under construction, which are to house the administration and operational sections of the HQ.
These buildings of two storeys will not be completed for some time, but attached to them is a gymnasium, where the firemen will keep fit when not attending lectures.
This is another aspect of the modern fire service. The men are not standing or sitting about idle all day. They are constantly being kept up to date on the latest industrial and technical developments and have regular keep-fit sessions.
In the operations wing there is to be storage for equipment and dormitories with 31 beds, adjacent to the appliances room. This is to ensure a speedy get-away.
In this section, too, will be two poles for quick access from the assembly hall, and also a spectators’ gallery for the benefit of visitors who are encouraged to see the Fire Service operating.
The gallery will facilitate the watching of fire fighting, which will be carried out in another new building under construction.
This building is so adaptable that the firemen can even simulate a typical ship’s hold and the type of fires that break out in them.
Also under construction is a 90ft. tower which is to have conventional windows facing on to North Anderson Drive. On the other side will be built in every conceivable type of window, metal and wooden frames, sliding windows, ones that open out. These will enable firemen to practice entering and leaving all types of buildings.
<PHOTO> Part of the new workshops.
(Evening Express, 14/2/1967).

AN EFFICIENCY BLEND

Space is the keynote of the handsome new headquarters on North Anderson Drive in Aberdeen for the North Eastern Fire Area Joint Board-space and colour, to make the fire brigade ever more efficient. More space for equipment, for training, for office work, for leisure moments.
The brigade moved into their new home last February (operational) and March (administration) but it is due to be officially opened today for inspection by a distinguished invited audience, by Lord Provost Robert Lennox, with Provost George Wood, Portsoy, chairman of the joint board, in the chair.

U-shaped

On a fine open site of seven acres, the HQ is now approached by the new dual carriageway which is embellished with roses. The building, a discreet blend of traditional and modern styles and materials, using granite, synthetic granite and red brick with concrete, is designed by Aberdeen architects Allan Ross and Allan for a total cost of £335,000 (plus £20,00 for control basement and AFS garages).
The two storey plan is U-shaped, with the main façade dominated by the wooden, electrically operated folding doors of the six appliance bays which have immediate access to Anderson Drive. Above the bays is a large assembly hall and at either side two wings faced in granite.
Both wings are entered from the sides of the building under sloping cantilevered concrete canopies. The north wing is the HQ of the fire board, with boardroom, firemaster’s office, administrative offices, control room, drawing office, photographic room (with dark room) and medical room.
The south wing is the Aberdeen operational fire station with easy access to the appliance bay, where there is a canteen tender, an emergency tender-which can generate it’s own electricity-two pumps capable of pumping 1000 and 600 gallons of water a minute respectively and two turntable ladders.

Three shifts

The station office is beside the bays with boards indicating the names of the 26 men on each of the three shifts.
The south wing has all facilities for the officers and men on and off duty. There is a large, well equipped kitchen, with dining rooms, airy dormitories with beds, three guest bedrooms for visiting firemen, lavatories, lockers and recreational rooms, including a TV lounge, a quiet room for study and reading, a billiard room and a large gymnasium.
Throughout the station there is bright colour-even the appliance bays, with a red tile floor, a pale blue ceiling and grey tiled end walls. The boardroom is resplendent with dark blue carpet, panelled walls, red chairs and pale blue ceiling. The desks and chairs in the administrative offices are of various colours. The firemaster’s room has a rich red carpet. The gymnasium is in gold and pale green, toning with the wooden equipment.

CONTROL OF 3622 SQUARE MILES

The control room is the heart of the new station. This vital place is manned by day entirely by four or five women under Mrs Margaret Young, assistant group officer, who has been a firewoman for 12 years. At night the men take over.
Everything looks extremely calm, cool and efficient so that anyone can see at a glance what is going on in the entire fire area of 3622 square miles with a population of 450,000 who make an average of 2500 calls every year.
The brain of the control room is the console-a large desk carrying all communication systems. There are automatic fire alarms installed in large business premises, GPO telephone switch board for calls from the public, VHF radio links to all stations, with four repeater links; a public address system, an internal telephone system, switches to open the appliance bay doors, and links with five subsidiary desks in the room to take urgent calls for immediate action. One girl handles it all.
On the walls of the control room is a large map showing the boundaries of the fire area, which stretches from Forres in the North west to North Water Bridge beyond Inverbervie in the South east, taking in everything east of Grantown and all Deeside.
Forty Two fire stations are marked with coloured pins on the map to denote the type of appliance stationed there. Alongside the map are two control panels with a light beside the name of each station which turns red when the local brigade is called out. The pin is then transferred from the map to the panel.
Another chart shows the number and placing of non mobile appliances available-such as foam equipment, breathing apparatus and resuscitation apparatus-indicated by moveable discs.

Training is a constant and essential part of every fireman’s day. The facilities at the new HQ in Aberdeen are quite exceptional, as visitors will discover for themselves from the excellent vantage point of the unique covered concrete cantilevered balcony, giving a bird’s eye view of the huge drill yard, the practice tower, 90 feet high, and the practice smoke chamber.
The tower, of red brick and concrete, has windows on two sides-one set open for training with hook ladders, the other complete with casements and glass. Inside there is a two man automatic lift and life like 11st dummies waiting to be rescued. The remainder of the tower is used for drying hose, which is electrically hoisted to the top.
The smoke chamber has three levels, with trap door and a variety of windows. Intense heat can be turned on the entire place filled with smoke to simulate the real thing. The layout can also be used to simulate fire in a ship’s hold by starting the exercise with the firemen at the top and making their way down ladders into the "hold." There is an outside relief staircase and the smoke can be quickly cleared through ventilation louvres in the aluminium roof.
Firemen must be in top physical condition. Now for the first time, physical training will be added to their normal drill-in the fully equipped gymnasium in the main building. The training will be given by staff officers who, among them can boast many skills, including karate.
Maintenance of all the appliances in perfect order is another high priority. The workshops in Anderson Drive are the most up to date in the country and service all vehicles for the whole fire area.
All the latest appliances have body work in embossed aluminium, which is much less easily marked than the old red paint. There are, altogether 60 fire appliances of all kinds in the fire area-six being at Anderson Drive and three at King Street.

Replacement

There is a constant replacement programme to ensure that the fire brigade is right up to date with the latest equipment. One new appliance was delivered this month and three are due shortly.
The network of stations is kept up to date also. After the new HQ there will be new stations at Keith, Aberlour and Granton on Spey.
The new fire station is at present in charge of Mr John Donnachie, assistant fire master, with Mr W. H. Woods, firemaster, on sick leave and due to retire in November.
Mr Donnachie has taken a close personnel interest in the new HQ devising many of the bright colour schemes himself and preparing a special illustrated brochure for visitors to the official opening ceremony.
He has a staff of nine senior officers, six fire prevention officers, 10 administrative staff and 14 control room staff, with 79 operational firemen on three shifts of 26 men.
The entire fire area has a full time strength of 168 firemen, 26 civilians, 485 part time retained men and 22 volunteers with 60 appliances in 40 stations plus (two volunteer stations).
<PHOTO> The 90ft. practice tower which is used for simulated fire fighting of outbreaks in modern tall buildings.
(Aberdeen Press and Journal, 27/6/1968.)

Forum set on Tesco scheme

Supporters and opponents of plans for a £7 million superstore in Aberdeen will get a chance to state their views at a special meeting next month.
A development plan departure hearing into Tesco's application for the Grampian Fire Brigade site in North Anderson Drive is being held in the Town and County Hall at the Town House on Wednesday, March 7.
It will start at 10.30am and is likely to extend into the afternoon.
The city council's planning committee will visit the site earlier in the morning.
About 80 objections have been lodged against the application.

The Workshops and Central Stores opened on the 11th October, 1963
The Station became operational in February 1968 and was officially opened on the 27th June, 1968

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