Control Operators from the late 1950's

These photos were taken in the old South Western Area in the late 1950's. They show some Control Operators from fire stations in Ayr/Kilmarnock. One in particular was Mary Bryce who joined the Service in the 1950's. Mary married in December 1963 to a John Ashwood and was sometimes known as Rae Ashwood after her marriage.
The married couple stayed in Lomond Road, Bellfield, Kilmarnock. She left in 1964 when she became pregnant. Unfortunately Mary passed away in January 1998.
It is her daughter Sharon who would like to know more about her mum, or anyone else in the photos.
If you know anyone in these photos or indeed Mary/Rae herself please contact Sharon on 07780 613 917
or email joe.harkins@strathclydefire.org

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Day out at Scottish Fire Service College, Gullane.

On the 10th May 2007 a group of 18 REA members went along to the Scottish Fire Service College at Gullane for a day out.

We left from Cowcaddens in two SFR personnel carriers and enjoyed a good blether on the way to the College (or, as most members would know it) - the Scottish Fire Service Training School.

Although most members didn't know each other they were soon talking away and all had some mutual friends they had worked with - we may have about 3/4000 within SFR but you always know someone that someone else knows. It's a small world within our Fire Service Community.

On arrival we were met by Eck Bryson, a gentleman of a guy from Lothian & Borders, who is the Commandant in old money but who is now called the Head of Programmes. Eck had coffee and biscuits ready for us all and whilst we ate and drank Eck gave the members a run down of the new regime.There's no late passes any more - it's all self-discipline now.If anyone comes on the drill ground smelling of alcohol then they are sent back to their Brigade on report. A  far cry from the past eh? Eck told the members that there has not been one case of referral back to Brigade since he brought the policy in, so the proof is in the eating.

There is a huge new accommodation block where the trainees, as they are now called, have their own single room. There's no morning inspections any more, no more bed blocks etc.The new regime relies on the cleaners telling staff if a room is not being kept up to scratch then staff interview the trainee and update them of the expected standards.

There's no more writing everything down - all lectures are available as handouts -  so no more having to draw pumps, inside of 5X branches etc.The course is all Modular now too so that if someone has to leave because of injury or illness they do not get re-coursed. They only come back to finish the Modules they missed through injury or illness.

The College then laid on an excellent lunch which the members thoroughly enjoyed then we all went out to see the trainees on the drill ground. They were near the end of their course so they were doing "fire scenarios". As they got into their fire gear they all had a chance to talk to all our members and  within a few minutes they relaxed and enjoyed talking to our retired members about what it is like now and what it was like then. Talking to Eck weeks later he told me that the trainees got a lot out of that exchange and Eck was delighted that our members went through to give the trainees a different perspective.

Eck then laid on afternoon tea and cakes and a question and answer session ended with a vote of thanks to the College, Eck Bryson and Ricky Stroud who also accompanied us and helped out with the afternoon sessions.T o round off the day we all went in to Bissetts for a pint and a blether before setting off back to Cowcaddens and homeward thereon.

All the members really enjoyed the day out, enjoyed seeing the College again, enjoyed seeing Gullane again and enjoyed seeing each other. Although he is retiring in July Eck has extended an open invitation to us to return and repeat the visit because, as he says," the trainees and the College got as much out of the visit as the members did".

If you are interested in going on the next visit to Gullane please let Joe know and he will keep a list of interested members and arrange another visit later on in the year.

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REA Launched

The  REA was officially launched on the 6th September 2006 after a period of initial discussion, structure, meetings and set-up taking approximately one year. The official launch was held at SFR Headquarters in Hamilton and was chaired by  Chief Officer Brian Sweeney. Members came from all over Strathclyde to witness the birth of our new addition to the SFR family.                

The idea and concept of what the REA is about, what we hope to achieve and what we hope to offer the membership was put to the audience by Joe Harkins, the originator of the idea. Feedback from the audience was positive and welcoming and many members there volunteered to help in the various Branches under proposal. The Volunteer Network was greeted as a welcome addition to our members retirement and many there present came forward to offer their name to the Volunteer database being created.

The Chief Officer then addressed the audience to welcome them back to SFR Headquarters and assure them that the Senior Management Team were totally committed to the establishing of the REA and were 100%. behind the proposed structure and benefits on offer. The Chief Officer stressed that this was the members Association and would be driven by their ideas, their needs and their involvement. Strathclyde Fire & Rescue is more than a job to most of its employees with a  strong attachment being formed that leads many retirees to keep in touch with former colleagues and the new Association would be invaluable in achieving that goal.       

Elections then took place, chaired by the Chief Officer and the following members were elected to the Committee :-

Joe Harkins                    Chairperson
Ally  Boyle                      Secretary
Francene McConnell       Treasurer        

Area Manager Ally Boyle then went through a draft Constitution which had been drawn up by Liz Ashmole, SFR Senior Solicitor and Joe Harkins. A lively and informed debate took place with the minimum of changes needed before the Constitution was adopted by the body of the hall.        

With the business of the day completed the members present were the first to be presented with the initial issue of the REA members magazine “Off the Run” and for those who sent in passport photos their membership cards were ready and waiting for them. Everyone then adjourned to the Goodwillie Suite where tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes were served, eaten and enjoyed. A good deal of blethering took place as old friends met up with each other and new ones were made. It was a perfect example of how the Fire Service is one big family and this new Association will help to ensure that every member feels included from now on, at whatever level of involvement they themselves choose.

As was said at the official launch “This new Association is your Association and will stand or fall by your involvement. As with everything in life, the more you put in the more you will get out of it.” The structure and facilities are now in place and the members are enjoying the benefits of this, the first and best Retired Employees Association.