Two Old Appliances Go Old School
Dennis F108 and Dennis D pictured during a March 2012 visit to the Scottish Fire Service Training School
These two old timers were taking part at an event marking the last Graduation Ceremony (or Passing Out Parade in old money) - for the College Commandant Bob Virtue
Both appliances behaved impeccabily throughout the 160 mile round trip
Strathclyde Fire Brigade Preservation Group was formed in 1995 with the aim of restoring and maintaining for the benefit of the public, historic fire fighting appliances, fire fighting equipment and related artifacts, publications and documents.
We have our own constitution and committee to ensure the collection is maintained and the aims and objectives of the group are implemented.
We operate a "Preservation Through Operation" policy whereby our appliances and equipment are kept in a mechanically sound and roadworthy condition by operating and maintaining them regularly. The Preservation Group also provides a "Living Museum" facility by taking our exhibits to the public. Throughout the summer and winter months, the Group's vehicles attend events almost every weekend. It is our policy to support events especially those with a charitable cause, the Fire Fighters Charity being one of the main recipients of our efforts.
In addition to supporting events with a charitable cause the Preservation Group also works closely with the Community Safety Department of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and many of the events we attend are referrals from this department. There is always enormous interest shown in our vehicles and we try to channel this interest to promote the fire safety message especially to the younger members of the community by using in part, the history of the fire brigade.
At the Annual General Meeting on the 3rd December 2008 the name of the group was changed from Strathclyde Fire Brigade Preservation Group to Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group.
Almost five years later, on the 20th May 2013, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group was rebranded and we formally became, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Trust.
The new name indicates that we are now a Registered Scottish Charity (SC043929) and that we now cover the whole of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area.
Our name now better reflects the main focus of our work which is preservation, restoration and conservation projects on fire appliances, fire fighting equipment, uniforms and related fire service artefacts.
With the restructured Heritage Trust, we are now able to expand our membership and take our community involvement work across the whole of Scotland.
Our Present Chairman is David Adam and the Secretary is John Cairns