12 November 2008 - Improved Penicuik Fire Station Officially Opens
Penicuik Fire Station has undergone building work to provide its Firefighters and local community with new facilities. The work which has taken place includes a new extension and refurbishment, which will better accommodate the improved crewing system which has been phased in over the last year.
The new crewing, called the day shift duty system, means the Station now provides full time cover during the day between 8am and 6pm, and retained cover between 6pm and 8am. As well as carrying out emergency services, the new day shift crew are building on the work undertaken by the retained crew in community safety education.
In order to mark the opening of the extension and refurbishment, there will be an open evening held on Wednesday 12th November, which will include speeches from Convener of the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service Board, Chief Fire Officer Brian Allaway and a presentation from Group Manager Ian Gray.
Convener of the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service Board, Mike Bridgman, said, “the completion of this new facility at Penicuik is a further step forward for the Board’s Service Improvement Plan which aims to reduce fires and improve safety right across the Board’s region. The Penicuik Firefighters, and indeed those across Midlothian, have been instrumental in this, adopting and adapting to a new shift pattern where fulltime Firefighters can be more accessible to the public during the day whilst enhancing the excellent work done by our retained crews. The facility gives all our Firefighters in Penicuik a place of work which is appropriate for the important tasks they carry out and allows them adequate space to invite the public in to share the task of making Midlothian and the surrounding area safer from fire.”
Ian Gray, Group Manager for the area covering Penicuik said, these communities now have an enhanced service available to them, our local retained crews supported by fulltime firefighters and operating out of a much improved fire station at Penicuik. This arrangement also allows for greater partnership working with our local schools and other agencies which will help increase safety in these areas. The Fire and Rescue Service in Midlothian and the wider service it provides will be much more accessible to the public on a day-to-day basis.
“One example of the service provided by the new arrangements is the Home Safety Check programme whereby anyone can request local Firefighters to check their homes for the risk of fire, and they will provide and fit a free smoke alarm if required. This can be arranged by ringing freephone 0800 169 0320.”
Enquiries: Aileen Hope, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service
Tel. 0131 228 2401
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