Predictions of Downgrading or Closure of Balmossie Fire Station Unwelcome

Campaigning with Firefighters to Save Balmossie
Fire Station in December 2009

Councillor Fairweather's statement on Monday predicting a bleak future for Balmossie Fire Station is most unwelcome here in Broughty Ferry.

It is not altogether surprising that an Angus Councillor representing a constituency in Arbroath should argue for the reallocation of resources to places in Angus. Conversely, it is understandable why Dundee based Councillors like me should have campaigned to retain the benefit of a full time Fire and Rescue Station in Balmossie that is effectively also a crucial part of maintaining public safety in greater Dundee.
It has long been recognised that Balmossie not only responds to fires and road accidents in its own area but also acts as a super sub frequently providing cover and back up when there are major incidents in Dundee and Carnoustie. It is a mystery to me why fire crews and their fire engines backing up at another station are not credited with this in the published statistics. This gives the public a misleading impression of station workload. In the case of Balmossie, in close proximity to Dundee, back up and cover is a significant part of their work as well as undertaking numerous fire safety visits.

Many thousands of residents in Broughty Ferry supported the retention of their fire station when its future was threatened in 2009 and 2010. I am sure they will have not changed their minds if their local fire and rescue service is threatened in the future when it is managed by the Single Fire and Rescue Service for Scotland. 

For my part, I am committed to campaign against any future proposal to downgrade or close our Fire Station in The Ferry.