An Orkney politician has met senior fire service officials to discuss concerns about the challenges of recruiting retained crews in the islands.
Liam McArthur has called for a “more tailored approach” to manning fire stations than the current retained system.
The Lib Dem MSP has met with the fire service area manager for Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles Bill Wilson to discuss his concerns.
Mr McArthur has also written to the Scottish Government urging investment in training facilities in Orkney.
He said: “Retained fire stations are vital to keeping our island communities safe. It is therefore a real concern that the service continues to experience problems in attracting and retaining crew members.
“In some instances, this has resulted in stations being ‘off the run’ for prolonged periods. That is simply not in anyone’s interests.
“I remain firmly of the view that a more tailored approach is needed in the islands. It was helpful to have a further chance to discuss with Billy Wilson ways in which such an approach might work in practice. I am confident this can be achieved without compromising the safety of fire crew members themselves.
He added: “Ultimately, though, it is the time required for initial and ongoing training that is proving most challenging.
“I argued that better use could be made of the fire service’s existing mobile training units, including taking these out to the smaller islands to carry out training modules.
“However, we urgently need improved facilities based in Orkney, similar to those already in place in Shetland and the Western Isles.”