Tavish blazes over fire station threat

LOCAL MSP Tavish Scott has accused the Scottish government of putting Shetland’s fire cover at risk with plans to close six fire stations around the isles.

Mr Scott blames the planned closures on the government’s intention to centralise the fire service next year.

On Friday the Highlands and Islands Fire Board will discuss a report to review fire cover throughout the region.

Chief fire officer Trevor Johnson proposes halting or delaying work on four new fire stations on Whalsay, Bressay, Fair Isle and in Walls to save £375,000 this year.
 
However Mr Scott says he understands that six stations are under threat in Shetland, rather than the four mentioned in the papers for Friday’s meeting.

He is now demanding an immediate explanation from justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, insisting he “comes clean” on the number of stations Shetland will lose.

“Shetland’s fire cover is set to be drastically cut back. The sole reason for that is the Scottish government’s fire centralisation plans which will force a single national fire service for the whole of Scotland.

“It is therefore no surprise that local fire stations across Shetland are threatened with closure.

“Local contractors will lose work on new planned and previously agreed fire stations and the immense dedication of many local volunteers will be dispensed with by the Scottish government. They seem to believe they know best on how to put out a fire in Shetland based on a service run from the central belt.

“I will work with local people and Shetland Islands Council in resisting these desperate centralisation cuts being imposed on Shetland. There is no doubt that Shetland’s fire cover could be put in jeopardy by these central government imposed changes.”