Concerns for Scotland’s fire service after no high ladder engine available at blaze

A recent fire in Glasgow has raised concerns about the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's capacity due to the unavailability of a high-reach ladder engine. The closest available high-reach appliance had to travel from Coatbridge, a 26-minute drive away. Cuts in 2023 reduced the number of these specialized engines across Scotland, leaving only one stationed near Glasgow city center. This situation prompted questions about the potential impact of reduced fire service capacity on the response to the Glasgow fire, especially considering other incidents occurring simultaneously in Dumfries and Edinburgh. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called for an immediate investigation into the matter. High-reach vehicles offer superior firefighting capabilities compared to standard engines, but are more expensive to maintain.

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