Fire Station Closures

MrSpoon · Post by **MrSpoon** » 02 Sep 2005, 20:10

I searched and found an old thread talking about Musselburgh, but couldn't find anything else on the latest with these proposals

( http://www.lothian.fire-uk.org/plans/IR ... 20Plan.pdf )

A fellow scout leader I work with is also a Fireman (is that PC? Fire Person? anyway...) and was explaining these proposals.

Originally, Marionville fire station (near Jock's Lodge) served a lot of Portobello. Then they built Newcraighall, which serves as far as Kings Road roundabout. At the moment, if there is a house fire (for which it is standard practice to send two engines) within the Kings Road to about Pitville Street area, one will come from Marionville and one from Newcraighall (assuming 1 from each is available). Because of access from Newcraighall to Portobello, their response times are actually somewhat slower than Marionville. I am told that for calls as far as Bellfield Street, the Marionville engine can often make it 2-3 mins before Newcraighall, which is left struggling to drive down Brunstane Road. An example from just last week was a 12.30am call to Abercorn Terrace, to which Marionville attended about 30 secs before Newcraighall. That doesn't sound like a lot, but with the roads as quiet as they are at that time of night, and that Abercorn Terrace is a bit beyond what is normally expected of Marionville, you should perhaps worry about a little deeper in Portobello when traffic is heavier.

The proposals suggest the closure of Marionville station. As a result, for Fires in Portobello, 2 engines will come from Newcraighall - and certainly in the middle of Portobello (between Brunstane Road and Harry Lauder Road access points from Newcraighall) response times could be doubled.

Further, if there was (for example) a fire in Nidrie, and two of the Newcraighall engines are attending there - the next fire station to provide backup would be Leith (or the proposed moved Musselburgh station, which is already serving a wider area towards Tranent).

He felt it was worthy of our attention - the officers at Marionville station are opposing the move but the people that could really be effected by this is ourselves.

Thoughts? The website appears to invite comment: http://www.lothian.fire-uk.org/plans/pl ... inions.htm

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 05 Sep 2005, 09:34

a Fireman (is that PC? Fire Person? anyway...)

The correct term is 'firefighter', I believe!!

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 05 Sep 2005, 22:42

my husband was a " leading firefighter" until he retired six years ago

Novastar · Post by **Novastar** » 07 Sep 2005, 11:09

I've also heard there are plans afoot to close one of the fire stations at either McDonald Road or the one at Ferry Road near Morrisons.

Funily enough from a fellow Scout leader as well.

Must have been a meeting I missed.

Bit worried that they seem to be spreading the load out a bit. Seems to be a few stations, each serving a large area. Would prefer a lot of smaller ones as it means it's quicker to get to the fire (or the cat stuck up the tree). If McDonald Road closed it would be a bit worrying that they have to come from the other end of Ferry Road while my flats burning down.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 07 Sep 2005, 18:07

Arachnid wrote:my husband was a " leading firefighter" until he retired six years ago

Mine was too Arachnid

Though he only retired 6 months ago

I sometimes wish he was back at work

cause he's driving me round the bend

My youngest son is also a firefighter at Musselburgh Station.

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 07 Sep 2005, 18:44

Lizzie, I used to love when mine was on nightshift!!!

I used to get the whole bed all to myself!! Sheer bliss!!!

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 07 Sep 2005, 19:53

Arachnid wrote:Lizzie, I used to love when mine was on nightshift!!! I used to get the whole bed all to myself!! Sheer bliss!!!

Oh yes Arachnid I know exactly where you are coming from

I couldn't agree more

I've been trying to find him a part time job doing nightshifts for the last 6 weeks

but he's not that keen

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 07 Sep 2005, 21:15

Mine's got a job as a part time " postie" and has to get up at five in the morning,

so at least I do get to spread out for a few hours

Better than nothing I suppose!

Cynthia · Post by **Cynthia** » 13 Sep 2005, 21:52

Just received this....even if you think the station proposed to be cut might not cover your area or this area directly, email anyway as my knowledge which is limited, but from the last Fire Fighters industrial action, was that Stations back each other up when needed - especially in case of a larger or major fire or incident.
LOBBY YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR
The Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service - Service Improvement Plan 2005/2010 is presently out for public consultation. SOS believe it is imperative that as many people as possible are made aware of the implication of the plan and are asking you to contact your local councillor to ask them to organise a public meeting in your area. For while the Fire Brigade is responsible for this consultation exercise they have no plan to hold public meetings in local areas.
The Service Improvement Plan will result among other things with the closure of Marionville Fire Station and relocation of Macdonald Road Station. Marionville Fire Station covers a larger area
than you first think taking in for example part of or all of the following areas Easter Road,Restalrig, Lochend,Meadowbank, Craigentinny,Marionville,Northfield, Leith Links.This could not only have
implications for fire safety in your home but your child's school, nursery, your workplace.
SOS have therefore put together the following points of concern:
* Catchment Areas
* Response Times
* Capacity of new homes being built
* Vulnerable people
* Schools
ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¢ Road traffic congestion
Below is a draft letter which you can use to send/email - to your local councillor
Dear .....
I am a member of your constituency and I am concerned about the implications of the Lothian
and Borders Fire and Rescue Service - Service Improvement Plan 2005/2010 both for our area and
for Lothian as a whole I would therefore like there to be a full discussion on the Plan locally.
As organising local consultation meeting is not part of the Fire Brigade consultation exercise I
would appreciate if you as my local councillor would as a matter of urgencey organise a public
meeting in our area, I believe the consultation period ends 30th Oct O5.
Yours ....
Please give your name and address
Contact details for your councillor can be found by going to:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
phoning 0131 200 2000,
email lawrence.marshall@edinburgh.gov.uk, maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk, susan.deacon.msp@scottish.parliament.uk,
strangg@parliament.uk
Please if emailing or writing send a copy to your local MSP and MP
YOU CAN EMAIL, WRITE OR VISIT THEIR SURGERIES - PLEASE GET LOBBYING
NEXT MEETING OF SOS IS MONDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 7.30 LOCHEND YWCA
SOSSAVE OUR STATIONS

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Sep 2005, 21:33

I believe there is some talk of a Town Hall public meeting on this issue.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Sep 2005, 13:22

From Maureen Child's most recent report to the Community Council:

Fire and Rescue Service - New Developments

This appeared in the headlines and posters as something like 'Fire Stations Closure Threat', which seems very scary and a decided step backwards. I was very concerned and went to a presentation of the Firemaster's plans. Once I listened to what the professional fire-fighters are really saying, and the extra investment they propose, it began to look less scary to me.

In fact, it could be a really big step forward, which will make us all even safer from the threat of fire. More than half the deaths happen before the fire alarm is even raised, so we need to be much more clever and effective to stop that happening. This means fire prevention and education, not shaving minutes off response times. For those people already dead, the firemen can't turn the clock back. Nobody can. But the professional fire fighters say they can help us prevent more people dying - before anyone even knows there's a fire. But he knows we do all need a lot of convincing.

You will have an opportunity to quiz Brian Alloway, the Firemaster of Lothian and Borders Fire service in a public meeting, which I am arranging in Portobello Town Hall on Monday 10th October at 7.00pm.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Oct 2005, 21:40

Here's both sides of the story and essential background reading if you are intending to go along to this meeting:

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service Service Improvement Plan 2005-2010

Save Marionville Fire Station

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 11 Nov 2005, 16:06

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=2177992005

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 11 Nov 2005, 16:16

What about that headline?

And what an impactful ending:

"Surely we need more fire stations, more fire engines and more firefighters. Does your child deserve less? Does your granny deserve less? Do you? "

The boy is obviously not all that fussed about his brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, mother and father in law or wife. (or boyfriend )

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 11 Nov 2005, 16:38

Porty wrote:What about that headline?

And what an impactful ending:

"Surely we need more fire stations, more fire engines and more firefighters. Does your child deserve less? Does your granny deserve less? Do you? "

The boy is obviously not all that fussed about his brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, mother and father in law or wife. (or boyfriend )

Why do you have to ridicule the writer? - he has made very valid points,

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 11 Nov 2005, 16:51

Gemini wrote:Why do you have to ridicule the writer? - he has made very valid points,

He has made some very valid points, I guess its just something smouldering away inside me.

Cynthia · Post by **Cynthia** » 20 Nov 2005, 13:38

Some of you may not have seen this encouraging article - encouraging to those of us who were extremely concerned about the proposals to close fire stations...it seems there were many others who shared our point of view and a re-think is needed. :
From the Evening News Fri 18th Nov http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=2261552005

City fire stations revamp plans in tatters
ANDREW PICKEN

COUNCIL chiefs are set to block controversial plans to axe two Edinburgh fire stations..... a report leaked to the Evening News today reveals that councillors are unwilling to back the changes which have encountered massive opposition.

Linda Flex, of the Save Marionville Fire Station campaign, said: "This is great news and it just shows you that ordinary people campaigning can make a difference but we're fully aware this is far from over."

I hope the Lothian and Borders brigade bosses do now think again.

Carla

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Fire Station Closures

Fire Station Closures

SOS Fire Station Closures

Fire Station closures on hold