Argyll and Bute

There is one option that involves one fire station.

• Helensburgh

• Introduce a new duty system for the first appliance at Helensburgh, which is currently crewed by wholetime firefighters. This would see that appliance crewed by wholetime firefighters during day shift hours from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm and crewed by on call firefighters out with these hours. The second on call appliance would be unchanged.

Pros

• Resources would be aligned with operational demand.
• Wholetime crew would be available during time of highest demand and deliver prevention activities during the day.
• Around 17 staff would be transferred to other key roles across training, prevention and operational resilience.
• Reduction and redirection of around £694,000 annual running costs
• Repairs to the roof structure caused by RAAC will be repaired and the station will be upgraded.
• Additional on call employment opportunities within local area.

Cons

• Increase in first appliance response times outside of core day shift hours in the area.

Helensburgh has the lowest operational demand of all similar stations that have two appliances.

Helensburgh has two appliances – one crewed by wholetime firefighters and the other crewed by on call firefighters. Operational demand is more aligned to the busiest on call stations with two appliances elsewhere in Scotland.

Helensburgh’s roof structure is affected by RAAC and we are unable to begin repair work until a decision is made on the station configuration and duty system. The station will be upgraded with dignified welfare facilities like single occupancy showers and toilets as well as contaminant
control facilities.

A change in duty system will ensure operational response during the time of highest demand.