Fire brigade rapped over safety

It is the first time the brigade has received improvement notice

Strathclyde Fire Brigade has been warned to improve its working practices by the Health and Safety Executive.

Inspectors have issued the brigade with an improvement notice after a fire on the 21st floor of a tower block in Glasgow in November 2003.

Two firefighters and two paramedics were treated in hospital after the fire in the Red Road Flats.

The HSE said the brigade failed to ensure their safety and has given it until the end of the week to appeal.

The firefighters followed the normal procedure and intended to take the lift to the floor below the fire, but because of confusion, they arrived at the floor where the fire was instead.

'Top priority'

John Cairns, chairman of the Strathclyde branch of the Fire Brigades' Union, told the Glasgow Evening Times that the emergency workers almost died after being overcome by smoke.

He said: "It was a very serious fire and the closest we have come to losing firefighters for a number of years.

"We have been in consultation with the brigade about this and practices must be looked at to make sure that this never happens again."

It is the first time the HSE has issued an improvement notice to Strathclyde Fire Brigade.

'Outstanding record'

Firemaster Brian Sweeney said the brigade had an outstanding safety record and had taken pro-active measures to cut the chances of a similar incident happening again.

"The brigade has an outstanding safety record and always endeavours to give top priority to the safety of everyone, including its personnel and other emergency workers," he said.

"The brigade's own health and safety department carried out an immediate and thorough investigation and this has led to proactive measures being devised to prevent the likelihood of a similar incident taking place."