Notes

First station 1961 1 Pump B reg. Up to 2 Pumps 1967.??

MVA912F ex Lanark. SUD381M EK and Bellshill.

A very pleasing ceremony on Monday evening fittingly marked the culmination of some years of effort and planning, when the East Kilbride fire station in Cornwall Street, at the Town Centre was formally opened. Local residents who have been active (in the columns of this paper and elsewhere) in advocating this very necessary development will be gratified to feel that at last it is an accomplished fact.
Over a hundred guests were in attendance when Councillor William MacLachlan, J.P., Chairman the Fire Brigade Joint Committee for the county, opened the proceedings by unveiling a plaque commemorating the building, and opening of East Kilbride's first fire station. Those present included, besides Councillor MacLachlan and Councillor James Aiton, who acted as Chairman, the County Convener, Mr Edward Daly; the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County, Mr D. Pollock Smith, D.L., J.P.; Professor Browning, Chairman of the Development Corporation; Mr I. A. H. More, Mr J. London and Mr W. Thrower, of the Scottish Home Department; Mr Lennox D. Paterson, whose firm were architects for the new building; Mr Ian Lothian, the surveyor; Provost John Fox of Motherwell, Provost J. R. Watson of Rutherglen and Provost A. Russell of Hamilton; Mr A. H. Nisbet, Firemaster of Lanarkshire; Mr R. Bowman, Firemaster of the Western Area and Mr H. Mackay, Firemaster of the South Western Area; members of the Fire Brigade Joint Committee; officers of the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade; representatives of the builders responsible for the new edifice; and others officially connected with the fire service or with the construction of the building. Most of these gentlemen were accompanied by their ladies, and with this mixed gathering a very happy feeling pervaded the evening. It had been hoped that Mrs Judith Hart M.P., would be present, but as Mr Aiton announced, a letter had been received from her expressing regret that her parliamentary duties prevented her attendance.

OUT IN 60 SECONDS

After the plaque had been unveiled time was allotted for an inspection of the building, members of the local establishment conducting parties of the visitors over the whole station, and explaining in detail the working of a modern fire station. It may surprise-and gratify-residents to know that the maximum time officially allowed (even during the night) to elapse between the receipt of an alarm and the departure of the fire engine is one minute-but generally this official maximum is greatly improved on, and the lapse of time may be as little as twenty seconds.
On the conclusion of the inspection the guests repaired to the assembly hall on the top storey of the building, and dinner was served. The efficiency of the service reflected great credit on the caterers.
When the meal was over Mr Miller, Station Officer in charge of the new station, proposed the toast of "The Queen", and this was drunk with acclamation. Mr Aiton then called on the various speakers in turn, and although there were no fewer than six of these, all observed a fitting economy of words, and the old cracks about the boring nature of after dinner speaking for once at least did not apply.

NINTH NEW FIRE STATION

Mr Nisbet, Firemaster for the County, was the first to speak. He recalled that the East Kilbride station is the ninth new one which the County Council has opened since they resumed control of the fire service after the war. He would like it to be known to everyone how much it means to the men of the fire brigade when Committees are exerting themselves to build suitable and efficient premises for their use. In Lanarkshire, he said, the Committee is trying, the men are trying, and between them they are making a good job of it.
In introducing the next speaker, Mr More of the Scottish Home Department, Mr Aiton acknowledged Mr Nisbet's remarks, and mentioned that the tenth new fire station to be opened in the county since the war will be at Shotts.
Mr More began in serious vein, thanking the Committee for their, invitation, and remarking that, as a "new boy" in dealing with fire service matters, it was most useful to him to see this very up todate fire station, which was attractive aesthetically as well as obviously efficient practically. He went on to explain what he meant by calling himself a new boy. Although he has been with the Department for some two years, he has only recently been transferred to the section dealing with the police and fire services. Previously his job was connected with introducing new industry in areas of under employment. One task he had was to get a pulp mill going in the north of Scotland; and when he achieved this object he found himself most unpopular with the inhabitants, who didn't like the smell, and said that the fish in the river were being killed. One thing he liked about the prospect of his new work was that there would be no divided loyalties-everyone was agreed that it a fire started, you put it out.

EAST KILBRIDE FIRST

Mr MacLachlan said that of the three new towns in Scotland, East Kilbride is the first to open a new fire station. He recalled that when in 1948 control of the fire service was returned to local authorities, Lanarkshire found itself in possession mainly of out of date and inconvenient premises but nevertheless the men of the brigade carried on magnificently. At the same time they took over the Firemaster-but there was nothing out of date about him. Indeed, the Committee's only difficulty in that quarter had been in finding the money to meet the more urgent of Mr Nisbet's demands for improvements. Since 1948 there had been gratifying progress, but among the nine new stations the one at East Kilbride was probably the best he had seen.
Professor Browning remarked that the Committee had provided a building worthy of the new town. He paid warm tribute to the Rutherglen Fire Brigade, who had up to now rendered efficient service in East Kilbride on the few occasions when the need arose; but as the buildings alone in the town were now valued at about 30 million pounds, and the value of buildings and contents could probably be estimated at about 50 millions, it was fitting that a local fire station should be in operation. He was sure that all the staff would appreciate the brightness and cheerfulness of the new building, and he concluded by wishing all workers in it a happy and pleasant time, with blank all to do.
Mr Lennox Paterson, speaking on behalf of the architects and builders, said that although the fire station was conceived seven years ago, it was actually erected within a period of 15 months, which he considered reflected great credit on the contractors and all concerned. He wished to thank the Firemaster and the members of the committee for their unfailing help and co-operation. As a token of the appreciation of both architects and builders, he asked Mr MacLachlan to accept cuff links and a wristlet watch, Mrs MacLachlan also receiving a suitable gift. He also handed over a combined folding rule and cigarette lighter to Mr Nisbet, remarking that if he ever found himself short of fires, he hoped the cigarette lighter would help solve the difficulty.
Mr D. Pollok Smith, who was Chairman of the Committee when in 1948 the fire service was returned to the county council, briefly expressed the thanks of the guests for the entertainment which had been provided for them. In paying tribute to Mr Nisbet, the Firemaster for the County, he suggested that Mr More had done a risky thing in publicly acknowledging his inexperience in matters relating to the fire service, as he could foresee that Mr Nisbet will soon be in Edinburgh telling him all about it.
On conclusion of the speeches the Assembly Hall was cleared, and dancing proceeded until about 11 o'clock, when the company dispersed after a most successful evening.

STATION EQUIPMENT

The main part of the ground floor of the new building houses the vehicles. There are two "appliance machines", each standing at all times fully equipped and ready for instant action. These vehicles carry not only pumps and escape ladders, but breathing appliance sets, life lines, foam extinguishers for oil and chemical fires and emergency water supply for use in cases where neither a hose connection to a hydrant nor "casual water" is available. Each vehicle is equipped with a searchlight, and with two-way radio for maintaining communication with the station. The outer and protective clothing of the men on duty is also kept in the vehicle, so that firemen on a night call actually finish dressing as the machine is racing to the site of the fire. Pole drops from all parts of the upper floors lead directly into the vehicle room.
Also on the ground floor are the Station Officer's room and the vitally important Control Room. The latter is manned day and night without break, and it is to this room that alarms of fire, whether received by telephone or by messenger, come. As soon as the relevant details are ascertained the officer on watch presses a button, alarm bells ring in all parts of the building, and the whole machinery goes smoothly into action. Certain large factories have private telephone lines leading straight to the Control Room.
On the first floor of the building are the general office, the locker room, and dormitories for men on night duty. In the absence of alarms, men on such duty are allowed to go to bed from 11 p.m. till 7 a.m. but this means no delay in the event of an alarm. The men sleep partly dressed, and on the ringing of the bells they are into other essential garments and sliding down the pole drop before they are properly awake. The process of dressing is, as already mentioned, completed in the vehicle on the way to the fire.
On the second floor of the building are the assembly hall, the dining room, and the kitchen.
As mentioned more than once in the course of the speeches at the official opening, the design and finish of the building leave nothing to be desired, either from the point of view of efficient operation, or from that of making the long periods of waiting as little irksome as possible to the staff. Luxury has been avoided, but a clean, cheerful and comfortable effect obtained; which no one would grudge the men who, when the occasion calls, are ready to run such risks in the interests of the community.
Readers will be interested to note that an Open Day will be held at the Fire Station on Sunday, 12th February from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone interested is cordially invited to see over the Station.
(THE EAST KILBRIDE NEWS, Friday 3rd February, 1961. Page 7)

J171 & 172 GUS Scania 93M 210/Emergency one

OFFICERS from Strathclyde Fire Brigade were involved in an unusual call-out to East Kilbride recently. But it was good news for the Brigade, for East Kilbride Fire Station was taking delivery of two brand new tenders to replace their ageing predecessors.
The keys for the Scania water tenders, which cost £66,000 each, were handed aver to Station Officer James McQuiston by Councillor David Sanderson, convener of Strathclyde Regional Council, at a special ceremony in the station.
Among the invited guests were Provost Helen Biggins, Councillor Pat Watters and Councillor William McNah of East Kilbride District Council. Officials from the Fire Brigade included Firemaster John Jameson and Senior Divisional Officer Stewart Mercer.