Fochabers Fire Station in dire need of new recruits
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FOCHABERS Fire Station is in dire need of more fire fighters, according to long-serving crew manager Gary Smith.
Gary (62), who now has the help of son Joss (27), has been working at the Fochabers station for 42 years and has never seen the situation so bad.
The station, which ideally needs 12 retained fighters, only has eight at the present moment – and that's with Joss three months into a three year course before being fully qualified.
Gary, who works full-time as a janitor at Milnes and Mosstodloch primary schools, told the Northern Scot: "This is the worst I have seen it, we had more than 250 years service and everyone is retiring now and we are struggling.
"If I could retire I would but I wouldn't like to leave the station short on bodies. We are already straining ourselves because we can't get the time off at weekends."
The station, though, hopes recruitment will pick up soon – and new start-up Joss, who works shifts at Glenlivet Distillery, would encourage anyone to get involved.
He added: "It was something I always wanted to do and I understood the station was struggling for recruitment and thought about going for it.
"It's really good and I want to carry it on – it's a rewarding job that I would encourage people to go for.
"It's a good bunch of boys and a good team. Everyone would be made to feel very welcome."
The station is looking for people who can be available from 6am through to 6pm on a restricted basis. Last year, there was roughly 200 call outs – most of which were dealt with within an hour.
Gary was keen to stress the job is open to all. He added: "We have two lassies in just now going through the processes. But we are all guys working here. The job is open to males and females."
For anyone interested, training days are a Tuesday from 7pm to 9:30pm. All are welcome to head down and speak to the crew.
