Tavish meets chief fire officer

SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott is to raise the uncertainty hanging over the future of some of the isles’ fire stations with the deputy chief fire officer for the Highlands and Islands.

Mr Scott will meet Stuart Edgar on Friday to discuss the implications of Scottish government plans to create one fire and rescue service for the whole of Scotland.

He said he was worried that centralisation of services will put money before safety and national policy before local need.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, he said: “I have pushed for this important meeting to discuss legitimate Shetland concerns that have arisen as a result of the unnecessary and unfair decision to centralise the fire service.

“If Shetland is left with merely 11 operating fire stations to service 15 inhabited islands it is inevitable that safety and response speed will be compromised. The government has to recognise that these cuts are potentially very dangerous indeed.

“I am also raising the importance of investment in islands such as Fair Isle where the station renewal is now on hold. I want an end to this uncertainty.”