Fire strike test for Highlands

Fire chiefs say resources will be limited

A fire service leader has warned that the service will be thinly spread in his area should the firefighters' strike go ahead next week.

Highlands and Islands firemaster Brian Murray said just six Green Goddess fire engines will be available to replace full-time vehicles in an area the size of Belgium.

Mr Murray was speaking as fire and police chiefs across Scotland revealed their plans to deal with emergencies if the strike goes ahead.

Senior figures from both emergency services admitted they would be "stretched" and called on the public to be extra vigilant during strike days.

Fire facts

Scotland has 4,588 full-time firefighters

2,799 part-time firefighters

1,200 volunteer firefighters

520 fire engines

30 aerial appliances

14 rescue and emergency vehicles

59 other specialist vehicles

109 Green Goddesses will be used in Scotland

Mr Murray said fire chiefs would seek to make the best of the limited resources available to back up the work of those retained firefighters who will not be taking part in the action which starts on Tuesday.

A total of 109 ageing green goddess machines will be available across Scotland, with half a dozen designated to the Highlands and Islands, which includes some of the country's most remote areas.

Two of the military vehicles will be stationed in Inverness, two in Stornaway, one in Dingwall and one in Fort William. Five military crews will man the appliances.

The firemaster said he would like to see more Green Goddesses, but added: "The resources are very thin throughout the UK. We will make the best of the resources available to us."

Police will provide an emergency escort

He said 33 out of 34 fire stations were manned by retained personnel, who have indicated they would respond to an emergency in their particular area.

Strathclyde Police Assistant Chief Constable (operations) Ricky Gray said strike action would pose a major challenge for the force.

The force area is one of the largest in Europe covering around 5,500 square miles, including 23 inhabited islands, and has a population of almost 2.3 million.

Mr Gray said: "It would be wrong to say there would be no stretch on police services."

'Extra vigilance'

He said police would take 999 fire calls and escort Green Goddesses to fires while still performing their usual emergency duties.

Northern Constabulary said its role will be to support the military in providing emergency firefighting cover and all fire calls will be assessed by senior fire officers and the military.

However, specialist vehicles including a rescue tender, foam tender, water dowser and hydraulic platform will not be available.

Jim Wallace is backing a fire safety drive

All of the 999 fire calls will be switched to police control rooms.

Chief Superintendent Jim Heddle, head of force operations, said: "I would ask the public to help us at this time by exercising extra vigilance and ensuring basic fire precautions are in place."

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Jim Wallace urged firefighters to drop their strike plan as he said the Scottish emergency co-ordinating group was pressing ahead with its preparations.

He confirmed that a £140,000 public safety campaign would go ahead as planned this weekend.

Mr Wallace said: "The very basic message, if a fire does occur, is get out, stay out and dial 999."