Firefighters across the north-east will be among the first to be armed with new specialist suits to help them cope during extreme weather like Storm Frank.
The fire service was on the frontline of relief and rescue during the worst of the weather in 2016, when thousands of people were forced to flee their homes due to the winter deluge.
Now more than 7,000 firefighters across Scotland are to benefit from a £1.3million investment into new specialised kit.
The heavy-duty, PVC kits have already been introduced to stations in the north-east, including Braemar, Banchory, Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Altens, Braemar and Fochabers as well as seven other sites elsewhere in the country.
The new equipment will ensure that crews can respond to weather-related emergencies without risking damage for day-to-day firefighting.
Iain Bushell, deputy chief officer for service, said: “Our firefighters are fully committed to keeping Scotland’s communities safe – and it is absolutely vital that they are given the correct tools and equipment to stand on the frontline during times of emergency.
“These impressive new PPE (personal protective equipment) suits will keep firefighters warm and dry, while ensuring they can continue to work in the most challenging conditions to protect Scotland’s communities.
“This significant investment is also a necessary means to protect specialist firefighting kit, at a time when severe weather related flooding continues to pose a significant risk across Scotland.
“As we saw with the devastation caused by Storm Frank in 2016, severe weather conditions can present a wide variety of unique challenges for our crews to contend with.
“These new kits form part of an extensive and carefully planned strategy to enhance our arsenal of nationwide equipment, and will ensure that all firefighters can operate with greater ease across the former legacy boundaries to protect the public at times of significant emergency.
“This is yet another major step forward for our national service and I thoroughly commend all of those involved in this major project for their dedication in helping us build a safer Scotland.”
The introduction of the new kit follows a recent £5.2million investment into more than 2,200 new breathing apparatus sets, which has ensured every crew in Scotland is using the latest equipment.
