Tayside Fire and Rescue

Monday’s City Council committees

After my two Monday ward surgeries at the Mitchell Street Centre and at Harris Academy yesterday, I attended City Council committee meetings at which:
 
* At Development Management Committee, the planning application for the new Dundee Railway Station was discussed and approved.   West End Community Council had been denied a deputation request as they had not submitted an objection but I was permitted to raise with the Director of City Development their questions about traffic management and the public consultation process.
 
* At Policy and Resources Committee, I commented on the draft local fire and rescue plan and questioned performance indicators about injuries arising from fires.   I also asked about the police response to domestic housebreaking that had seen an increase during 2012.   The police are taking a very proactive approach in combating house break-ins through the “After Dark” initiative.

Concern over West End blaze

As reported in the Evening Telegraph last night, the Courier and on local radio and TV, there was a significant and concerning blaze at Victor’s Fish and Chip shop and at surrounding flats in Blackness Road in the early hours of yesterday morning.
 
I visited the scene yesterday morning and talked with constituents, being most concerned for the 26 constituents who were forced to flee their homes.   This was a serious fire and I am just relieved that no-one was hurt.   I’ve been in touch with Tayside Fire and Rescue to thank them for their sterling efforts and professionalism.
 
Obviously it’s a relief that everyone got out unscathed and I hope all residents can get back into their homes as soon as possible.   Victor’s is something of a local institution, a much loved chip shop and well used by the local community, so we hope the business can have necessary repairs undertaken and be back as soon as possible.
 
A photograph of the street yesterday is below:
In a separate development, slightly further west on Blackness Road, a water pipe “blew” in the plant room late on Thursday afternoon at the new primary/nursery schools site.    I am assured by City Council officers that the incident was fairly minor in that, although Tayside Fire and Rescue came out with an appliance,  the water was switched off with their stopcock key and there was no need to pump water out.   I am assured that this incident will not affect the October entry date for the schools.  
 
I spoke about the blaze on Wave 102 news this morning – click ‘play’ below to listen:

Thursday activities

Today :
 
* I took part in a school/pupil/traffic safety site visit to St Andrew’s Primary School (pictured right) as part of the on-going work of the working party on safety outside city schools.
 
* I held my Thursday weekly surgery at Blackness Primary School.
 
* I attended the latest – and a very positive – meeting of the West End Local Community Planning Partnership, that took place at the Tartan Coffee House on Perth Road.    Subjects covered included:
  • An update on the proposed consultation on residents’ parking that will be launched on mid-October.
  • Details of the Dundee West District Plan by Tayside Fire and Rescue.
  • Tayside Police’s tactical assessment for the West End.
  • Useful discussions on recycling, derelict buildings, parking on Magdalen Green, bus services and other local matters.

Blackness Fire Station Open Day

I have just returned from a very enjoyable afternoon at the Blackness Fire Station Open Day.

The Open Day was very well-attended by local residents and, as well as displays and demonstrations by Tayside Fire and Rescue, there were numerous community group stands – I was on the Friends of Magdalen Green stand along with colleagues from the Friends.

Here’s a few photos from today :
Some of the stands
Angela Mehlert, Chair of Friends of Magdalen Green and myself
Burning Trays demonstration
Young firefighter in action!
Murray Nicoll on the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial Trust stand

Blackness Fire Station Open Day

Blackness Fire Station is holding an Open Day on Saturday 2nd July between 10am and 4pm.  

All local residents are invited to come along – there will be various static displays, visual displays, practical displays and information stalls. 

At the request of Roy Dunsire, Station Manager, I have encouraged the numerous community organisations to have information stalls and the West End Local Community Planning Partnership will be there.

It will be a super community event for the West End and its hoped many local residents will attend. 

Home Fire Safety Visit Programme

Tayside Fire and Rescue is keen to establish links with volunteers in the community who may be able to assist in the delivery of their Home Fire Safety Visit Programme, including generating and conducting Home Fire Safety Visits, with the appropriate training.

The Fire Station Manager at Blackness is keen to hear from any volunteers within the community who may be interested in working in partnership with Tayside Fire and Rescue to make communities safer from fire.

If you are interested, please let me know and I’ll pass on details of your interest – firesafety@frasermacpherson.org.uk – many thanks.