Alarm over Fire Service's 'sheds of shame' as crews asked to work in antiquated conditions
On call firefighters serving two remote island communities are working out of two rotting garden sheds that have no lighting, heating or power to recharge crucial lifesaving kit.
Community councillors say lives on Seil and Easdale Island are potentially being put at risk because of the woefully inadequate conditions inside the wooden huts in a car park in Ellenabeich.
As part of a resilience review, they are now putting pressure on the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service to find cash and urgently upgrade the mini-station.
The community council is also lobbying ward councillors and MSP Jenni Minto to step in - saying the dedicated firefighters and islands’ population deserve better.
Inside the huts there is no internet for training purposes, no separate men and women’s changing space, no wash facilities and no toilets. One has been described as ’falling to bits’ wile the other has water ingress, making it ridden with damp. The conditions also mean the crew have no access to breathing apparatus.
We can also reveal that crew members are working without pagers. When emergencies strikes on Seil or neighbouring Easdale Island, shouts from fire control come via a telephone call to the crew commander, who then has to ring round to spread the word.
There is also no garage, which means the crew’s 4x4 Mitsubishi is permanently kept outside, posing problems in winter when freezing temperatures ice up windows and run the battery flat.
If calls come at night, crew members are relying on torches to gather equipment, sparking health and safety concerns according to community councillor Willie Munro.
Gear - including the defibrillator - that needs re-charging or washing down, has to be taken home and charged or readied by a crew member for the next call, he added.
Mr Munro said: "It is apparent that our dedicated volunteer crew are being asked to operate with facilities and equipment that are below a serviceable standard in comparison to those at Luing, Kilmelford, Ardfern and Dalmally fire stations.
"Consequently, there may be incidents that cannot be adequately dealt with as the logistics of attending a fire on Easdale Island. A lack of the prerequisite equipment on both Seil and Easdale leaves both islands vulnerable as the next fully equipped pumps are in Oban 30 minutes away."
He also told The Oban Times: "It’s not acceptable that the people of Seil and Easdale are getting a reduced service from Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.
"Our fire crew is dedicated, they turn up for training, they are keen to help and serve their communities. They deserve to be shown respect and be given suitable conditions."
There was a plan to build a mini-station on Seil 20 years ago but it was shelved due to lack of funds, The Oban Times was also told.
Ms Minto says she has offered her support to the community council "should it be of assistance" after they raised the matter with her.
"Whilst I understand all public sector organisations are facing challenging financial times and I have contacted SFRS to ask what support they can offer. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers who deliver such an invaluable service.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “As a service we have been very clear about the challenges we face with our ageing estate across Scotland and the significant investment required to address this.
"The safety of our staff and the local community is paramount, and we continue to take a risk-based approach to modernising and repairing our network of buildings, fleet, and equipment.
"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is currently preparing for a public consultation to be launched later this year on several options to ensure our staff have access to the most appropriate facilities when responding to emergency calls, or in undertaking essential non-emergency work such as training and community engagement."
Latest News
Sign up to our daily Newsletter
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
You may also like
Oban Times Leader: Unsung heroes deserve better
Glensanda’s 200 millionth tonne sets sail
Funding grows island garden and hub
Councillors get 'wind' of public feeling
Latest News
Sign up to our daily Newsletters
Permission Statement
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.
© 2025 Wyvex Media Limited.