Establishment 2000

The Establishment is split over 4 watches, Red, White, Blue and Green working an average of 42 hours per week on a 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off rota.

COUNTY ENTERS A NEW ERA IN FIRE FIGHTING

Strategic Base Opened At Barrhead

Barrhead’s new fire station, the latest addition, the latest addition to the resources of the Western Area Fire Brigade, is strategically sited, and its position at Cross Stobs provides easy access to Barrhead, Neilston, Uplawmoor and the south part of Paisley.
The continued development of the built up area and the ravages of time on the existing stations have made its provision progressively more urgent and its completion has given Barrhead not only an up to date fire headquarters, but an attractive new landmark. The station which opens onto Dykebar Road, incorporates all the latest refinements calculated to be of assistance to fire fighters and fire officers and chairmen of fire committees who accepted the invitation to look over the new building at its recent opening no doubt did so with considerable admiration and – in some cases – not a little envy.
As well as the formal opening and speeches, the ceremony comprised a presentation of awards to candidates from Scotland who had attained the highest marks in the annual Fire Services (Scotland) Promotion Examinations. The presentations were made by Viscount Muirshiel.
Later on behalf of Her Majesty, the Queen, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County of Renfrew, Dr. J. W. Macfarlane, presented the Queen’s Fire Services Medal, awarded to Firemaster Joseph Hartil in a recent Honours List. The Deputy Lord Lieutenant also presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to seven members of the Brigade who had completed not less than twenty years’ service.
While the station still had it’s brand new look, it had actually been in service for some time, sufficient for the switchboard operators, and other personnel, to be fully acquainted with the communications system in all its aspects.

Extensive Communications

Messrs Associated Fire Alarms, in co-operation with the architect and Firemaster, designed the impressive communications console that is finished in walnut, with an anti-glare surface on the metal parts. Situated in the watchroom of the station, the console includes a telephone switchboard designed specially for fire brigade use by the G.P.O. The switchboard designed specially for five exchange lines and twelve extensions. In the console are switches and push buttons controlling station lighting and floodlights, alarm bells, and siren and call bells for part time retained firemen. A private direct telephone link is provided between Barrhead and the Brigade Area Fire Control at Johnstone, with a similar link to Barrhead Police Station.
It is true to say that the advantages of the new fire station are not really apparent until one steps inside the building. Teak wood block flooring on the surface of the men’s recreation room is typical of details that combine to be functional yet luxurious in appearance. And the “ease” of the easy chairs is most inviting. It is left to the men to provide their own recreational equipment.
At the business end of the building there is a spacious three bay appliance room accommodating two regular fire engines and an auxiliary fire services engine, provision has also been made for expansion in the future should this prove necessary.
Other telling points are the clean lines of the lecture room and the provision of a private study. Educational classes for firemen are run in the Brigade in Paisley and Greenock. Classes for more advanced subjects are provided at the Reid Kerr College, by courtesy of the Renfrew County Education Committee.
A 48 hour week was introduced for firemen in December 1963, yet it is not long ago that they wee burdened with hours of duty considerably longer than those normally encountered in industry. And in another field of no small importance – salaries no less – the firemen have caught abreast of the current trend. Their last increase was as recent as August.
The dormitory in the new building is spacious and airy, there is a stairway that would grace the entry to any executive suite. The locker room also provides its commentary on the helpful outlook that has characterised the planning of the station. Other stations caught up in the march of time, may be short of space, but not this one.
Visitors are invariably charmed by the quick escape route provided. This is the legendary “greasy pole”, that is synomimous with speed. Things have looked up since Chaplain’s day however. In a circle at the foot of the pole rubber has been laid to a depth of three inches – which tends to make the landing happier.
The attention given to details in the planning impresses at every turn. Firemen’s helmets, of course, are awkward in some respects, because of their design. So it was thought best to provide a special structure – a small metal rest – on which the hat could sit upright! Boots don’t just sit or lie on the floor. Racks are provided where they can be stored for neatness and easy access.

Safety Incorporated

Breathing apparatus, which in the interests of safety has to be kept spotlessly clean, is serviced in a special room of the new station. There is also a detached building in a corner of the station set aside for training firemen in the use of such apparatus. The apparatus gives protection against all gasses with the exception of skin irritants, and the oxygen supply lasts one hour. Incorporated in the outfit is a warning whistle that sounds automatically when there is only a ten minute supply left. Firemen wearing the apparatus are kept in touch with the officer in charge by telephone link.
Tradition cannot be said to die hard in the fire service and old ideas have not been perpetuated unless they had some obvious virtue. That’s why the men’s dinning room is not one of those institutional affairs, done in brown paint with innumerable layers of varnish on top. This one is completely up to date with contempary light fittings, and skilful use of colour.
Next to the fire station, and to the rear, lies the home of the resident Station Officer, Hugh Moran, which like the rest of the new building incorporates an enlightened use of modern planning and materials.
<PHOTO> Inside Barrhead’s modern building, the “greasy pole” is still used for descending quickly.
<PHOTO> Barrhead’s new fire station, which will be officially opened this afternoon. Our photograph shows the engine sheds.
<PHOTO> It is an indication of the growth in stature of the burgh of Johnstone that the new Western Area Fire Headquarters have been located there. The new building, part of which is shown here, is not far from the fire station established several years ago higher up the hill from Johnstone High Station at Thornhill.
(Paisley Daily Express, Thursday, October 29, 1964. Page 5.)

Barrhead Is Fire Happy Now

OPENING OF NEW FIRE STATION

AT CROSS STOBS

Viscount Muirshiel Hands Over Prizes

Within a couple of “ticks” of Viscount Muirshiel pushing the button that signalled the opening of Barrhead Fire Station yesterday, two modern fire engines had raced from the main exit with split second timing. Afterwards the company that assembled for the ceremony watched with interest, and not a little mirth as they were treated to a demonstration that included the use of Kilbarchan’s forerunner of the fire engine, a hand operated cart pump. The contrast was enlightening.
It was a happy occasion, graced by Viscount Muirshiel, P.C., C.M.G., who was a well liked Secretary of State for Scotland and a politician with a smile that even charmed the Opposition.
Situated on Dykebar Road, at Cross Stobs, the new station was inspected by members of the fire committees and fire brigade officials from a wide area. A number of the public also turned out to view the proceedings.
It was a memorable day for Firemaster Joseph Hartil, of the Western Area Fire Brigade. The chairman of the Western Fire Area Joint Committee, Dr. J. W. Macfarlane, presented him with the Queen’s Medal.
Quite apart from the outstanding personal equalities that have one him many friends and provided an excellent example to the men he commands, he has carried on the forward looking spirit that was engendered by his predecessor, Firemaster Bowman.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Macfarlane said that Viscount Muirshiel more than anyone else had made possible the existence of the new establishment.
Provost W. MacCreadie, Barrhead, was sure that the fact of the new fire station being in the precincts of Barrhead would give pleasure to the people of the burgh. The firemen, he said, were part of a service that remained in the background until called into the forefront; it could be relied on never to fall down on the job. There were many instances, he assured his listeners, in which the courage and bravery of firemen went unseen and unheard. He wished all those who served in the new station success in their endeavours, and thanked all those whose labours had brought it into being.
The chairman, Dr. Macfarlane, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, pointed out before the presentation of awards that the Western Fire Area covered 3,500 square miles of territory.
Handing over the prizes to those firemen who had gained honours from the Examinations Board in recognition of passes, Viscount Muirshiel said it was perhaps his years at the Scottish Office that had given him a particular affection for the fire services.
The fire brigade had something romantic in its make up and it was only Scots reticence that held people back from following the fire engine when it passed them in the street. There was, he confessed, a certain amount of jealousy in their hearts as they watched the men, who required expert judgment and high technical skill, go into action in their firefighting activities. Everything was being done to encourage a high standard among entrants to the fire services. This was necessary. A year’s fire damage was about £66,500,000, and 700 people lost their lives annually in fire throughout the country.
Hours of work had gone down, and the pay had increased for firemen resulting in a need for more firemen, yet recruiting was not meeting with the success he would liked to have seen. He hoped that in the future suitable men would be attracted to service in the fire services. There were few careers today that offered as much challenge and gave the opportunity to acquire and use advanced technical knowledge and skills.
After he had performed the opening ceremony, Viscount Muirshiel was presented with a cigarette box from the men of the Western Area Fire Brigade. This was handed over by resident Station Officer, H. Moran, G.I.F.E., A.F.I.C.A.
Viscount Muirshiel remarked that the cigarette box represented a gesture he would always appreciate. He expressed thanks for the gift.
Mr Robert Urquhart, former County Clerk of Renfrewshire, moved a general vote of thanks.
The local firemen among the group who received awards were A. McDowall of Barrhead and R. Mitchell of Paisley.
The fire station building was designed by Mr James Fulton, architect, Renfrew County Council, and was erected at a cost of £65,000.

Longest Serving Chairman 

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS CONTEMPLATED 

Dr. J. W. Macfarlane, D.L., Ph.D., chairman of the Western Area Joint Fire Committee, is the longest serving chairman of such a committee in Scotland, and he presided at the opening of the new Barrhead Fire Station today.
Invited guests were able to tour the station after the speeches and the opening ceremony had concluded. Viscount Muirshiel officially opened the new station.
The Barrhead development is one of a number of improvements contemplated. The new Headquarters for the Western Area are at Johnstone where the principal departments have been centralised.
Firemaster Joseph Hartil has his office there, and the building also houses the Administrative HQ, the Fire Control Room, area workshops, area stores, etc.
Other developments in the near future include the replacement of Darnley Fire Station by another to be located somewhere in the Clarkston area, to serve Newton Mearns and the eastern section of Renfrewshire.
Locally it is planned to have a fire station at Camphill, but the siting is dependant upon other factors which will arise in course of the next few years.