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Arran’s fire crews came together for a training exercise at Brodick Castle last week as two volunteer firefighters were awarded long service medals.
The mock fire at Brodick Castle gave the firefighters a fresh challenge, having to remove priceless artefacts before they were damaged by fire.
Group manager Paul McClintock said: ‘Safety of human life is always our number one concern but the retrieval of artefacts at the castle is also very important. We have fantastic fire crews on Arran but they do have very limited resources. It’s important that they are aware of what they can do in a situation like this and what they can’t do. We must keep the men safe.’
Staff at the castle prepared what they call a snatch list. This is a catalogue of priceless objects that the fire crews must try to retrieve from the burning building.
The snatch list has a picture of each object on it and an exact location. If conditions allow then this salvage operation takes top priority.
Bill Cowell custodian at Brodick Castle said: ‘Inside the castle are many rare and priceless objects that we would have to try and retrieve. The firemen would try to get the object and bring it out to us. Castle staff would be on hand to pack the items away to prevent any further damage.’
Meanwhile Robbie Crawford and Charlie McAllister were both awarded long service and good conduct medals by Strathclyde Fie and Rescue. At a ceremony last Wednesday evening (November 7) the two firemen were praised for all of their hard work over the years.
Charlie is volunteer leader for Corriecravie Fire Station and Robbie is the leader of Blackwaterfoot.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue director David Goodhew presented them with their medals.
The ceremony was attended by watch commander Bill McNicol, Paul Jameson, and the personnel of Blackwaterfoot and Corriecravie Fire Stations.
