Fire and rescue control rooms in North facing axe

Under new plans, a modern control room would be built at Dundee, with Aberdeen and Inverness control rooms to be closed. Picture: TSPL

The controversial plans to shut centres in Inverness and Aberdeen – and build a modern control room in Dundee – are to be debated by members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board later this week.

It is understood that details contained in the newly-formed brigade’s Strategic Intent document – which lays out proposals for the future shape of the service and which also claims the Glasgow centre would be retained – have been leaked on an internal website used by staff.

It is believed that any closure of control rooms would be phased over a three-year period.

The newly-formed Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was created earlier this year after the Scottish Government merged the country’s eight brigades into one.

Scottish Fire Brigades Union secretary John Duffy said: “We are waiting to see the official proposals and see what direction the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board takes.

“Then we will consult our members.”

A fire and rescue service spokesman confirmed the Strategic Intent document would be considered by the board on Thursday in Aberdeen.

But he added: “No decisions will be made until the board has taken full consideration of all the options being proposed.

“It would be counter-productive for me to comment on any of those options before the meeting.”

David Stewart, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “I am concerned about the loss of local knowledge in the control room.”

SNP councillor Jean Slater, a member of Highland Counc8il’s community safety, public engagement and equalities committee, said: “I would be extremely disappointed if Inverness is going to lose its control room because of the local jobs and local knowledge.”