AIRDRIE FIRE BRIGADE
Stations
?
Louden Street
?
Mill Street
?
Police Headquarters (Anderson St/Wellwynd 1950)
Firemasters
1866?
to July 1918 Local Businessman
?
July 1918 ?
Chief Constable of the Burgh
1921
Captain Christie
Appliances
1866?
Hand Reel
?
Wheelbarrow
?
Horse Drawn Fire Engine
1918
Motor Fire Engine (Braidwood style)
1938
AVD309
Dennis Light 6 Limosine
SP
1923
Captain Christie was Chief Constable of Airdrie Burgh Police Force which at this
time doubled as the Ambulance and Fire Service. The Fire Engine and Ambulance
were in a building adjoining the Police Station in Anderson Street. The building
was originally the home of the Governor of Airdrie Jail, which itself was
converted to form the Police Station.
(Caption from photo of Captain Christie in Airdrie Library)
FIRE
Of the
Burgh Fire Brigade it can be said that the efficiency of this service was
greatly increased by the wisdom of the local authority, when, in July, 1918,
they decided to hand over the control of the Brigade to the reigning Chief
Constable of the Burgh.
In its infancy, the local Brigade had possessed a wheelbarrow appliance only,
and the Firemaster was a local business man whose firemen were his regular
employees. Later, a horsedrawn fire engine appliance was acquired and a proper
fire station occupied in Louden Street. At the same time other moves were made
to increase its efficiency. The old fashioned general method of calling the
members of the Brigade to action from their homes or place of business was
discontinued, and electric alarm bells were installed in their homes. Another
Fire Station was opened in Mill Street, and another finally at Police
Headquarters; a more modern organisation was finally obtained in 1918, when, the
Service was handed over to the control of the Chief Constable, who introduced an
up to date motor fire engine and attached a number of the Police for part-time
Fire Brigade duties.
The personnel of the Fire Brigade now numbered about 12, half being from the
police and the other half being tradesmen employed locally.
On the outbreak of the Second World War, the Chief Constable, as Firemaster, had
the additional responsibility of forming an Auxiliary Fire Service as part of
the Civil Defence Organisation, but in August, 1941, he was deprived of this
office, when under a general Government Order, the National Fire Service, as it
became known later, became a Service of its own, as it has continued ever since.
(The Book of Airdrie 1954. Page 101.)
REGULATIONS
TO BE OBSERVED BY THE
AIRDRIE:
Printed by John Craig, 42 and 44 South Bridge Street.
1903
REGULATIONS.
CAPTAIN.
1. When an alarm of fire is given, the Engine or Hand Reel is to be immediately despatched to the spot, taking care that none of the apparatus is omitted.
2. The Captain on arriving at the fire must use every effort to supply the Engine with water, taking care to place the Engine with sufficient space on all sides to work it effectually, and as little in the way of persons carrying out furniture as possible. He must also examine the premises on fire while the men are fixing the hose, that he may be enabled to direct the water with the best effect.
3. The Engine and apparatus must be at all times in good order, and the Captain must report to the Fire and Lighting Committee when any part of the apparatus requires repair.
FIREMEN.
1. When an alarm of fire is given the whole company of Firemen shall assemble as speedily as possible at the Engine-House, and assist in getting everything ready for service. Each Fireman must be at the Engine House within a quarter of an hour after the alarm of fire is given, between the hours of nine at night and six in the morning, and between six in the morning and nine at night within one hour, or the pay for turning out shall be forfeited. The Captain may do away with the forfeiture on a satisfactory reason being given.
2. Any man destroying his equipments or wearing them when off duty, shall be punished with a fine, or dismissal, as the Captain may determine. Careless conduct, irregular attendance, or insubordination, shall be punished as before mentioned.
3. The Fireman who arrives first at the Engine House, properly equipped, will receive 3/- in addition to his pay for turning out. No pay shall be allowed for a false alarm, unless the same be given by an officer of police.
4. The Firemen must be careful to take no directions from any person, but refer them to their Captain; they are also particularly directed not to accept of spirituous liquors from any individual. The Captain will see them properly supplied with refreshments. Every appearance of intoxication will be marked, and any man found in that state shall not only forfeit his allowance for the turn out and duty performed, but shall he dismissed from the service.
5. All concerned are strictly enjoined not to lose temper, and on no occasion whatever to give offence to the inhabitants by uncivil language or otherwise. Every man who may be dismissed from the establishment, or who may resign his situation, shall, before he leaves the service, deliver up all articles of equipment that were supplied to him.
6. The Firemen will assemble for drill and instruction once every month. Two men will be told off by rotation to attend Fire Engine House and clean apparatus once each week. In the event of a man being unable to turn out at weekly cleaning, he must find a substitute from the Brigade.
REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED
AT FIRES
BEYOND THE BOUNDS OF POLICE.
The Engine, with Captain and the first six men who may arrive, shall in all cases proceed to the fire.
PAY.
Retaining Fee of Superintendent, £13 per annum; allowance for turn-out, 3/- and 1/6 per hour.
Retaining Fee of Lieutenant, £5 per annum ; allowance for turn-out, 2/6 and 1/3 per hour.
Retaining Fee of Fireman, £4 per annum; allowance for turn-out, 2/- and 1/- per hour.
2/- for each drill between the hours of four and six in the morning, or at any such times as the Fire and Lighting Committee shall determine. Minimum drills, 6 each year.
REGULATIONS TO BE ATTENDED TO
IN CASES OF FIRE.
I.—GENERAL REGULATIONS.
1. The words Fire Engine House, in large painted or raised letters, shall be placed on one or more prominent parts of the Engine House.
2. The Captain and Firemen must reside as near to the Engine House as possible.
3. A list of the names of Captain and Firemen belonging to the Fire Engine Establishment shall be hung in a conspicuous place in the Police Office.
4. As it may be necessary to break open the doors of houses and shops to prevent fire from spreading, it is recommended that those in possession of premises in the neighbourhood shall not go away after a fire has been discovered without leaving their keys, else the doors of their premises will be broken open if required.
5. All possessors of shops, &c., are particularly requested to have the place of residence painted upon their shop-doors, that notice may be sent to them when necessary.
II.—REGULATIONS FOR THE POLICE.
1. Whenever a watchman discovers fire, he must instantly call the neighbouring watchman to his assistance, and adopt the readiest means to inform the proprietors or tenants of what has occurred. He shall also send notice to the Office. The watchman who is despatched to give these intimations, when exhausted by running shall send forward the first watchman whom he meets; and, lest the second messenger fail to communicate the information correctly, the former must always follow him to the place of destination.
2. When a notice of fire is received at the Office, the officer on duty shall instantly give notice to the Captain of the Fire Brigade, and to the Superintendent of Police; and, should the fire be serious, he shall also send notice to the nearest Bailie, the Convener of the Fire and Lighting Committee, and Manager of the Gas Company.
3. If any watchman suspect the existence of fire, he shall immediately summon his neighbour watchman, and station him as near as possible to the premises, to be in readiness to give the alarm should it break out; this being done, the said watchman shall proceed to the Police Office and report the circumstances to the officer on duty; the latter shall instantly call out the Captain and one of the firemen to examine the premises; the watchman must accompany them to the spot, in order that he may be ready to call out the Engine if it be found necessary.
4. Any watchman receiving orders to turn out the Firemen, shall immediately give notice to his neighbour watchman, and return to his station for the purpose of turning out any Firemen that may reside in it.
5. When a fire occurs, the superior officer on duty at the office shall, without delay, send a party of men under the command of an officer to the spot, and shall repair there himself as soon after as possible.
6. The above party on arriving at the fire shall clear off the crowd, and keep open space and passages for the Firemen and others employed.
7. The officer commanding this party shall attend to no instructions but those he shall receive from the Senior Magistrate who may be on the spot; or should there be no Magistrate on the spot, then from the Convener or other member of the Fire and Lighting Committee.
8. In cases of protracted fire the Superintendent shall select a sufficient number of able-bodied men to relieve those employed at the engine, who shall be changed every ten minutes, and receive such refreshments as he shall think necessary. He shall also take down their names, or give them a ticket to be produced to the Captain of the Fire Brigade before being paid for their services.
9. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent of Police to see that the above instructions and the list containing the names and residences of the Firemen are placed in the hands of each Constable, in order that he may be able to turn them out when required.
10. The Superintendent of Police or Officer on duty at any fire shall fix a place where all goods removed for protection shall be deposited, and shall station a proper watch there till it is found convenient to remove them.
11. One or more Policemen shall attend upon the Chief Magistrate and Members of Committee. One Policeman shall constantly attend the Captain of the Fire Brigade.
12. The Superintendent of Police shall always have a list of extra Policemen hung up in the Police Office, who when fire occurs may be called out if necessary for the purpose of attending there, and rendering assistance where it may be required.
Approved of by the Fire and Lighting Committee.
JOHN EWART, Convener.
AIRDRIE, JANUARY, 1903.
SCALE OF CHARGES BEYOND BURGH.
For use of Fire Engine beyond the Burgh—First hour, £2 10 0
Every succeeding hour 0 10 0
Washing and Cleaning Hose after Fire 1 0 0
Any damage done to the Engine, Hose, or other Apparatus, to be charged in addition as the same shall be certified by the Captain of the Fire Brigade.
For Fire Brigade Men —per hour, First hour, 0 4 0
Do. Second, and every succeeding hour, 0 2 0
Captain and Lieutenant., double the fees of the men.
Any sum paid by the Burgh for horses to be charged in addition to the above rates.
If the Engines are turned out but
not employed at the Fire, only a half of the above rates to be charged. Time to
be reckoned from the hour the Engine leaves the Burgh Premises until returned;
and any portion of an hour to be charged as a full hour.
The Engine not to be sent out without a written or clear verbal message sent by
a party or parties concerned in the property where the fire occurs to the
Captain of the Fire Brigade; or, in his absence, to the Superintendent of Police
or other responsible party.
The Committee also recommend that the Captain of the Fire Brigade should be
instructed not on any occasion to engage any extra men further than those
appointed by the Commissioner, the Proprietors, or parties interested in
properties where Fires take place, to supply any extra assistance required.
(This was an 8 page book , 6 inches by 4 inches.)
Airdrie
7th day of
November, 1859.
To purchase 7 fire
plugs, 300 ft. of hose, hose reel, and necessities to form a Fire Brigade. 2
east most shops in Market Street to be fitted out as station house. Regulations
for Airdrie Fire Brigade.
15th August
1870
Barrow too heavy and
unwieldy, firemen were exhausted when they arrived at fire. Requested it be
converted horse drawn
10th
August 1874
Royal Insurance refused
to pay for assistance at fire, won’t attend any more of their fires, until
payment is made.
18th June
1883
All 10 firemen resigned
after being refused pay rise. 10 new firemen appointed same day at same pay
2nd
February, 1892
Request to fit brake to
fire barrow for going down hills.
1918
Handed over from local
business man to chief constable, part police and retained, station in Anderson
Street, bought petrol driven fire engine.
1941
Chief Constable deprived
of office, taken over by N.F.S. till end of war.
(Notes from minutes, supplied by Bob Mudie)`