Firefighters light the way

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue assist 200 commuters

Last night, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue assisted Calmac to ensure that over 200 commuters, including Ambulance personnel who were transferring a patient to hospital on the mainland, were able to complete their journeys to and from the island following a power outage. 

The island has suffered a power cut since Tuesday's storms and, as a result, the ferry slipway could not be lit. For safety reasons, the ferry could not land until adequate lighting was provided. The local Watch Commander, noticing this predicament, quickly mobilised  the crew at Millport Community Fire Station who used specialist scene lighting to illuminate the slipway, allowing emergency sailings to take place between 4.30pm and 8.30pm. 

Area Commander Hugh Kerr commented: "Although this was not a statutory duty placed on the Service, we were only too happy to assist our local community in their time of need. The SFR crews who attended are also local residents of the island and, due to the isolated location, are well versed in turning their hand to unusual requests such as this." 

Area Commander Kerr also commended the Watch Commander for his initiative for ensuring SFR was able to help the community in its time of need by maintaining a vital lifeline for the community of Millport.