DEADLY COUP AND THE CHANGING FACE OF THE SERVICE
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The Canadian has started his post at a turbulent time for Scotland’s fire service – but has proven himself cool under fire in his previous roles.
He was serving as f ire chief for Strathcona County in Alberta when he was called upon to evacuate more than 80,000 people from last year’s terrifying Fort McMurray wildfires, which destroyed 2400 buildings.
Bushell said: “It was Alberta’s worst wildfire disaster and, by the time it was done, the area burned was over 1.5million acres.
“I was privileged to lead our incident management team to help evacuate 80,000-plus people.
“Sadly, two people died in a road traffic collision but they were not killed by fire.
“Driving into a city that’s completely empty is a strange experience. As a f iref ighter, you’re used to seeing burned- down buildings but not seeing block after block and nothing but charred remains.”
Bushell is a former mi l itary helicopter navigator and believes he played a part in Princes William and Harry taking to the skies.
He met the pair in 1991 while escorting Prince Charles and Princess Diana on a visit to Canada.
The airman was tasked with showing the young royals his Sea King helicopter and thinks it’s no coincidence that William went on to fly for the Navy while Harry became an Army Apache gunship pilot.
Bushell , 48, said: “I was very privileged to meet the royal princes when they came to Canada with Charles and Diana on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1991.
“They were on official duties so we were partial ly in charge of entertaining the boys, who were But Bushell said: “I’ve cried in the back of an ambulance twice doingdo my job and both times it was becausebe I’d just delivered a baby. “Fire Service Scotland have a great opportunity to shift from traditional thinking that we solely ggo to things that are on fire. “We’ve reduced fires by 50 per cent in the last decade. There’s a natural shshift in the role of a firefighter. “Traditional things are real ly rereducing but other things – including teterrorism, health and social care, and
Sunday Mail