Fire and rescue control rooms in North facing axe

TWO fire and rescue service control rooms in the north of Scotland are facing the axe, it has been claimed, sparking fears over jobs and safety.

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.”