Firefighters based at three island airports will join forces with local crews to deal with nearby emergencies under a new formal agreement.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding – a non-legally binding basis for a future working relationship – with Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL).
The move means firefighters at airports in Barra, Islay and Tiree will be called on to help crews dealing with breaking emergencies close to those airstrips.
And, in turn, local crews can be drafted in to support airport fire crews in the event of unforeseen circumstances or any major incidents at the HIAL airports.
The innovative partnership, which will be in force until 2019, was announced at Inverness Airport yesterday.
In the meantime, both organisations will take part in joint training exercises in the effort to share knowledge, skills and expertise.
Andy Coueslant, head of service delivery for the north, said: “We are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the safety of communities across Scotland whether that be in the inner cities, in our rural and remote areas or across our islands.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has always strived to meet that challenge – and we will continue to do so through appropriate partnership working.
“This is a good opportunity to work alongside Highlands and Islands Airport Limited and share our knowledge, expertise, skills and resources to keep our communities safe.”
HIAL Managing Director Inglis Lyon added: “Both organisations understand the challenge of delivering a fire and rescue capability in rural and remote communities and this agreement is a very practical solution to this challenge.
“We have a good working relationship with SFRS and our respective teams regularly train together in shared facilities at Sumburgh, Dundee and Stornoway airports. This agreement will further strengthen this partnership and our collective ability to respond to major incidents in our most remote communities.”
