An islands MSP has demanded 999 calls “work for all of us” following a catalogue of blunders in response to emergencies across the north of Scotland.
The Press and Journal has revealed a number of “potentially life-threatening” mistakes since control rooms in Aberdeen and Inverness were mothballed, leaving calls to be answered in Dundee.
Concerns have also been raised about a loss of local knowledge due to the closures.
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott met with Scottish Fire and Rescue Chief Officer Alasdair Hay yesterday after one incident resulted in a unit from Bressay mistakenly being called out to an incident in Yell.
Mr Hay described the meeting as “positive and constructive”.
Earlier this week, fire chiefs defended the transfer of control rooms to Dundee – but admitted they were “rectifying” a number of systems and procedures.
Speaking after meeting Mr Hay in Holyrood, Mr Scott said: “The Dundee control room for 999 emergency call outs must work for all of us.
“I discussed the detail of what went wrong with the recent incident involving Yell and Bressay. It is reassuring that the local fire crews in both islands immediately spotted the technical mistake.
“The problem was rectified and fire appliances were sent to the right destination on the right island. I sought an assurance that this shouldn’t happen again and I was pleased by the chief fire officer’s commitment to that.”
Other reported incidents since the move include confusion between Thurso and a Dundee street featuring the name of “Thurso” and a lack of knowledge that Dingwall has its own firefighters.
Mr Scott added: “I will meet the chief again in April to review progress on control room operations and Shetland’s fire service and I look forward to continuing a sensible dialogue about this essential part of the islands emergency cover.”
Mr Hay said he welcomed the meeting with Mr Scott – and said he sought to reassure the Shetland MSP about the recent incident on the island.
He described it was a “technical issue that was very quickly picked up”, arguing that the correct units got to the incident “very quickly”.
The chief officer added: “We have rectified the technical issues.
“I have given him the assurance that it won’t happen again. It was a very positive and constructive meeting on that.”
