Thousands spent on maintaining dormant Fetlar fire station

MORE than £15,000 has been spent maintaining the Fetlar fire station over the last four years, with the building – which has no crew – earmarked for potential closure.

Figures obtained through freedom of information show how there has been spend in areas such as electrical switchgear, lighting, fire alarm systems and drainage.

The station on the island of Fetlar has not been manned for a number of years and is on a list of facilities which the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) could close in a bid to reshape the organisation amid financial challenges.

A consultation has already been held, and a decision is expected in the summer.

Local fire chief Matt Mason said the Fetlar station remains an SFRS asset, so the service has continued to maintain the building.

It is understood that the building would be used if other crews attended an incident in Fetlar, for example.

Mason said the costs are all attributable to standard maintenance, repairs and rates, with no non-essential spends.

Commenting prior to the pre-election period, he said: “In summer 2025 we consulted with the public, staff and partners on the future of the SFRS, this included the future of the long term dormant Fetlar fire station within a range of 23 options involving more than 30 stations across Scotland.

“The feedback from the consultation and more than 3,500 responses is now being carefully considered alongside the operational evidence that informed the proposals.

“This process is being overseen by an independent external research organisation.

“The next steps in the process will include independent analysis of all responses by the Diffley Partnership, [and the] preparation of a consultation report summarising the findings from which recommendations will be made to the SFRS board for final decisions by end of June 2026.”