Fire station takes delivery of new ‘cutting-edge’ appliance

Kirkcaldy Fire Station has gained a new height appliance as part of a £3 million investment in the service’s fleet of vehicles.

Five new appliances have been unveiled by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

They are four aerial ladder platforms, to be stationed in Kirkcaldy, Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and a turntable ladder appliance, which will also be kept in the capital.

The service’s chief officer, Alasdair Hay, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome the arrival of these cutting-edge vehicles.

“There is no doubt whatsoever that they will assist our firefighters in protecting their communities at times of significant emergency.

“Our prevention efforts have reduced the number of fires, but we’re seeing new and emerging risks, including severe weather and terrorism.

“That not only requires us to have a broader range of skills and capabilities but the tools for the job. These appliances provide that capability.”

Annabelle Ewing MSP added: “Scotland benefits from a fire and rescue service with highly-skilled and professional staff, and it is right that it has access to the latest technologies and equipment to safeguard our communities from a range of incidents and potential threats.

“These state-of-the-art appliances will greatly enhance the resources Scotland’s firefighters can call upon in emergency situations and they can be mobilised to incidents right across the country to help preserve life and keep people safe.”

The appliance has an extendable ladder mounted to its roof, capable of rising more than 100 feet.