Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has changed the way it provides cover on a Hebridean island after it was left without any firefighters for more than an hour due to a staffing crisis.
The new arrangements were put in place after the situation on Skye was highlighted in the Press and Journal.
And the whistleblower who raised the issue believes the changes will make Skye safer for the local population and the thousands of tourists who visit the island each year.
Last week, he revealed that Skye had no local crews between 2pm and 3.15pm on Tuesday April 19 – leaving the unit at Kyle on the main land on call for the whole isle.
A spokeswoman for SFRS yesterday (Friday) said the service constantly reviewed its procedures to ensure it continued to provide its communities with the highest level of fire and rescue service.
She said: “Where an issue is identified we take immediate action to rectify and improve our service.
“The recent situation on Skye highlighted an issue which, whilst an extremely rare occurrence, prompted us to undertake a standard review which resulted in changes to our operational procedure.
“This will ensure that as soon as we are aware that strategic emergency cover on the island is affected, we will take immediate action to mobilise resources to provide cover as a priority.”
She added that the safety of its communities was it highest priority and it was committed to ensuring that emergency cover was available for the people of Skye and communities across Scotland.
The whistleblower said: “I think they actually have had a look at it now and they have taken steps to deal with this issue.
“I think the people of Skye will be safer as a result of these changes.”
