Red letter day for Groats firefighters
FIREFIGHTERS in John O’Groats are celebrating having a base they can finally call their own.
The official wraps were taken off their new purpose-built station in the village on Tuesday evening by a top-brass contingent from the soon-to-disband Highlands and Islands Fire Board.
The retained unit has operated on an itinerant basis since it started up in 1984 after concern in the wake of concern about a lack of local cover following a house fire in Huna.
Current watch manager, Groats businessman Walter Mowat recalled: "People were concerned about the distance we were from Thurso and Wick and that was taken up by our then local councillors John Green and Bill Mowat.
"The unit started up in the garden shed at the house of Billy Sinclair who was the first officer-on-charge."
The first recruits were issued with oilskins and builders’ hard hats and had to stow their gear in the back of their own cars, which they had to use to mobilise to shouts.
The unit subsequently moved to a vacant Highland Council premises beside the village football pitch on the road leading to Duncansby Head where a trailer containing the firefighting apparatus was stored.
A second-hand firefighting kit was acquired from the US Navy on its departure from its base in Forss in the early 1990s and the unit was then provided with an LDV mini-fire tender that was stored in the garage beside one of the crew’s houses in Lower Gills.
It then moved to a makeshift building between the Seaview Hotel and the post office from which the first full-sized, albeit second-hand, fire tender was based.
That served the unit until the board paved the way for the new station, which is sited close to the main junction at Groats, on the road leading west.
Mr Mowat said: "After 29 years, it’s great being able to move into a permanent base.
"We’re delighted it’s come about as it will make life a lot easier."
The Groats unit, whose call sign is Charlie 45, has 10 volunteers, who are ready to respond to an emergency at the drop of a hat.
Their patch includes a number of hotels, large commercial premises and the Castle of Mey while heath fires are a common source of call-outs.
Guests at the opening were Chief Fire Officer Stewart Edgar; Northern Fire Board Convener, Andrew Drever; vice-convener Audrey Sinclair; and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Billy Wilson.
Mr Edgar said: "We are very pleased with the investment in John O’Groats and with a similar station at St Margaret’s Hope.
"Their opening will ensure we continue to provide the highest level of community safety and emergency services for these communities."
Mr Drever said: "These stations will serve the communities well for many years to come.
"It marks the continued commitment from the board to provide quality facilities for our firefighters.
"I hope that the recent investments in these new stations will give confidence to the communities throughout the Highlands and Islands and encourage individual men and women to consider joining the service."
Board member, Wick Highland Councillor Gail Ross warmly welcomed the development.
She said: "This opening is fantastic news for John O’Groats and underlines the commitment to the service in this area.
"I know the local firefighters appreciate the extra space and improved facilities the new building provides and it will certainly lead to a boost in morale in the community."
The opening of the station at St Margarets Hope on Wednesday marked the last new build provided by the board, which will be wound up next week to make way for the new Scottish-wide fire service.