Decision to close Leadhills Community Fire Station

Leadhills Community Fire Station in South Lanarkshire will cease operations following a public consultation held earlier this year.

This decision, made by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board on 23 November 2023, came after reviewing two options: reinstating operations or closing the fire station.

The station, relying on volunteer firefighters, has faced recruitment challenges, leading to neighbouring crews from Abington and Sanquhar responding to incidents in the area since 2015.

Factors influencing the closure decision

Chief Officer Ross Haggart acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating, “The Board carefully considered these views along with data on incidents in the area, recruitment challenges and the continued cost of leasing and maintaining a building that has not been used for more than eight years.” He emphasised the importance of community safety, reassuring that residents in Leadhills and Wanlockhead will continue to be supported.

Ensuring community safety post-closure

The closure of the station will not leave the community without support.

Residents will receive bespoke Home Fire Safety Visits to prevent fires and enhance safety.

In emergencies, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will mobilise the nearest available resources.

Jim Quinn, the Local Senior Officer for Lanarkshire, noted, “Our community action teams will be undertaking visits to households in Leadhills and Wanlockhead to ensure that residents are fully supported with home fire safety advice.”

Public consultation process

The public consultation on Leadhills Community Fire Station was conducted from 10 July to 18 August 2023.

It involved local events in Leadhills and an online survey, which received 27 responses.

Despite these efforts, no feasible alternative proposals for the station’s future were submitted during the pre-consultation stage.

IFSJ Comment

The closure of Leadhills Community Fire Station is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to balance community safety with resource management within fire services.

This decision, reached after a comprehensive public consultation, reflects the challenges faced by volunteer-operated fire stations, especially in rural areas.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s commitment to maintaining community safety and providing tailored support to the residents of Leadhills and Wanlockhead is commendable.