Speaker Evening

Vice President Irene Brownless was in the chair at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry on Thursday 11th July when Alan Brown introduced speaker Calum Bruce. Formerly a Scots Guardsman, Calum has served in the Fire and Rescue Service for twenty-six years. Resident in Fife, Calum again works in that area as Group Manager for enforcement, ensuring that businesses from cafes and retail shops to huge industrial and petrochemical plants comply with regulations. Education about fire prevention for the public and business is also his responsibility. During his time in the service, Calum has seen many changes, not least the formation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from the many county and city fire brigades. Like in any reorganisation, problems arose, but the need to rationalise was obvious and the service is functioning more effectively. There are now only three control centres - Dundee, Edinburgh and Paisley. There are also new challenges. Although house fires and fire deaths are reducing thanks to smoke alarms, better public awareness and increased efficiency, the fire and rescue service now finds itself having to cope with other duties previously outwith its responsibility. Four fire stations across Scotland now have specially trained teams to cope with terrorism - whether bombings or marauding firearms attacks - as an active anti-terrorist element rather than reacting as an emergency service after the event. On the operational side, owing to changing demographics and work patterns, fewer volunteers are available to man part-time stations in daytime. Light-weight emergency response vehicles are being introduced, capable of dealing with small  fires and keeping larger incidents under control until heavier units arrive.

As Immediate Past President Sandy Mackenzie said in his vote of thanks, the success of a talk can often be judged by the number of questions from the floor. Calum's presentation prompted much interest and many questions.

In other business, Alan Brown said that it was now confirmed that the Abseil on Sunday 7th July had raised a remarkable £127,500 on the day. This sum will rise with Gift Aid and further sponsorship still to come in. Strathcarron Hospice alone raised over £86,000.