NORTH EASTERN FIRE BRIGADE

The North Eastern Fire Brigade came into operation on the 14th  May, 1948 under the Fire Services Act, 1947 covering the counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine, and the joint county of Moray and Nairn, and the county of the city of Aberdeen. The Brigade continued until Regionalisation on 16th May, 1975 when part of it went into Highland and Islands Fire Brigade and the remainder formed Grampian Fire Brigade.

Headquarters

1948 to 1975                 Central Fire Station, 256 King Street, ABERDEEN.

 

Firemasters

 

1948 to 1953 Firemaster James Ross O.B.E.
1953 to ? Firemaster W. H. Woods M.B.E., MIFireE, AFICD  there in 1965
? to 1975 Firemaster J. C. Donnachie

 

Stations

1948     1975  
ABERDEEN        
King Street WT   King Street WT
North Anderson Drive WT   North Anderson Drive WT
ABERDEEN COUNTY        
Aboyne RT   Aboyne RT
Alford RT   Alford RT
Ballater RT   Ballater RT
Braemar RT   Braemar RT
Ellon RT   Ellon RT
Fraserburgh RT   Fraserburgh RT
Huntly RT   Huntly RT
Inverurie RT   Inverurie RT
Insch RT   Insch RT
Kintore RT   Kintore RT
Maud RT   Maud RT
Oldmeldrum RT   Oldmeldrum RT
Peterhead RT   Peterhead RT
Turriff RT   Turriff RT
BANFF COUNTY        
Aberlour RT   Aberlour RT
Aberchirder RT   Aberchirder RT
Banff RT   Banff RT
Buckie RT   Buckie RT
Cullen RT   Cullen RT
Dufftown RT   Dufftown RT
Gardenstown Volunteer Disbanded 1951/1952    
Keith RT   Keith RT
Macduff RT   Macduff RT
Portsoy RT   Portsoy RT
Tomintoul Volunteer Upgraded to Retained in 1952 Tomintoul RT
KINCARDINE COUNTY        
Banchory RT   Banchory RT
Inverbervie RT   Inverbervie RT
Laurencekirk RT   Laurencekirk RT
Stonehaven RT   Stonehaven RT
MORAY COUNTY        
Burghead Volunteer Closed???    
Elgin RT   Elgin RT
Fochabers Volunteer Upgraded to Retained in ? Fochabers RT
Forres RT   Forres RT
Gordonstoun Volunteer Disbanded 1951/1952 Gordonstoun Volunteer
Grantown on Spey RT   Grantown on Spey RT
Lossiemouth RT   Lossiemouth RT
Rothes RT   Rothes RT
NAIRN COUNTY        
Nairn RT   Nairn RT
    Tornashean Station 40 formed in 1957/58 then disbanded    
    Strathdon  Station 40 formed in 1958/59 Strathdon RT

 

Station Occupied Official Opening
Elgin   11/6/1953
Ballater   30/7/1953
Fochabers   1954
Portsoy   1956
Forres   1957
Dufftown   1957
Fraserburgh   1959
Kintore   June 1959
Laurencekirk   February 1959
Inverbervie   January 1960
Strathdon   1960
Peterhead   October 1960
Rothes   26/10/1961
Turriff   6/4/1962
Insch   Started 1961
Aboyne   Started 1961
Ellon   25/4/1963
Huntly   1964
Oldmeldrum   29/10/1964
North Anderson Drive Feb 1968 27/6/1968
Braemar   25/10/1973
Banff   1974
Macduff   31/1/1974

 

 

Notes

 

BRIGADE MASCOT

Terry, a black labrador, who for eight years was mascot and watchdog in five Aberdeen fire brigade stations, is dead. but he will not be forgotten.
At North Anderson drive station he has found a last resting place and over his grave a stone commemorates his service.
In our picture Leading Fireman Ross is seen tending the grave, Inset is Terry.
Originally the pet of Company Officer Brown, a war time officer in the fire service, Terry was retained as a watchdog and mascot when his master left the service.
During the war he was stationed at Mannofield, Craigie, Loanings, Queen's Cross and Crown Street, and ultimately went to North Anderson Drive station.
Terry revelled in a trip on the fire engine and sometimes accompanied the firemen when they were called out to country heath fires.
When the alarm bell rang, Terry was first aboard the engine every time and was very disappointed when, owing to the nature of the call, he had to be left behind.
The gravestone was presented to the firemen, who inscribed on it, in bold black lettering -
"In memory of Terry, who died December 21st, 1948. Our canine mascot for eight years."
(Aberdeen Press and Journal. 7th February, 1949.)

 

NEW SOUND FOR FIRE BRIGADE

Aberdeen fire engines will have a new sound from next week. Two tone horns have now been fitted to fire engines in Aberdeen and will be used as a warning of approach during the day time.
The bells will continue to be used between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when traffic is light.
Said Firemaster W. H. Woods of the North Eastern Fire Brigade, when he gave the news: "I would appeal to the public - pedestrians as well as drivers - to co operate by leaving the way clear for the engines to get through when they hear the horns."

CHANGE OVER

The change over has been made because the bells were not penetrating enough to be heard by drivers of diesel and heavy vehicles.
The new system, added Mr Woods, would be gradually extended to all the other units within the Fire Board's area.
(Aberdeen press and Journal. 16th July, 1965.)

 

 

 

MAIN INDEX                             1948 INDEX