Following the independent review of the Fire Service in Autumn 2002, and the subsequent settlement of the industrial dispute, the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire & Rescue Services (NJC) agreed to replace the 13 ranks in existence with 7 roles.  These roles were defined by reference to the National Occupational Standards (NOS), which were to form the basis of the Integrated Personal Development System (IPDS). As part of this agreement, the existing pay structure based on the rank and length of service would be replaced by one based on role, competency and job size.

To facilitate this transition, a process of pay assimilation was implemented in accordance with NJC Joint Circular 13/03. This initial process was always seen as an interim agreement pending the outcome of rank to role.

Following receipt of NJC Joint Circular 09/05 the Service established a rank to role ‘task & finish’ group to implement the national agreement for rank to role.

The process implemented within Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service was set out in the ‘Substantive Move from Rank to Role – A Guide for Staff’.

Following completion of Role Analysis and Job Size questionnaires by a representative sample of post holders, these were considered by job evaluation panels consisting of members of the ‘task & finish’ group.

The job evaluation panels have concluded their work and have made their recommendations to the Chief Fire Officer. Letters to those affected by the process were sent out on Monday 17th of July 2006 a table showing the outcome of the process is available on the Service web site.  For further information click here .

A retirement function was held at Kirkwall Fire Station on Saturday 10th June 2006 to mark the retirement of FF Dennis M MacDonald after 28 years service, a good night was had by all at which Dennis was presented with a bronze figurine depicting two firefighters by Stn/o D Norquay on behalf of his fellow firefighters from Kirkwall station, and a presentation axe from ADO D Clark on behalf of the Chief Fire Officer.

FF Rosie Cursiter was presented with a glass tankard to mark her recent resignation, after seven years, from the service, again presented by Station Officer D Norquay on behalf of her fellow firefighters from Kirkwall Fire Station.

Personnel from the Sutherland District Office and the Community Risk Management Department based in Inverness happily attended the second Safe Highlander event at Lairg Community Centre on the 24th May 2006.  The event involved joining forces with our Community Safety Partners from other organisations in Highland, such as Northern Constabulary, Coastguard, British Transport Police, Health & Safety Executive and the Red Cross.

Each organisation had to present a short demonstration to small groups of Primary 7 pupils from throughout the District area as to some of the risks they could encounter in their daily lives and how they could prevent them. The Fire Service theme was information on three key areas of Home Fire Safety namely Detection, Prevention and Escape.

At the end of the day approximately 144 children and support staff had received the input and agreed that the information received would be very beneficial. 

The Caithness Kidney Dialysis Support Group was among a number of charities to benefit from cash raised by firefighters from Bettyhill in their annual duck race on the River Naver, run last year in conjunction with the resurrected Bettyhill Gala.

The group’s vice-chair Robert Doull and committee member Fiona Harper travelled from Wick to collect a cheque towards this most worthy cause. The charity exists to provide help, support and financial assistance to kidney dialysis patients who live in the catchment area of the Caithness General Hospital.

Leading Firefighter Tom Mackay is pictured handing over the cheque to Fiona Harper and Robert Doull. In the back ground are, from left to right Firefighter Gordon Gray, Firefighter Jim Mackenzie, Sub Officer James Mackay, Firefighter Ross Mackay, Firefighter Joanna Johnson and Leading Firefighter Alan Hughes.

Firefighters from Balintore unit recently went live in their new role and received their replacement fire appliance at Tain Fire Station on Thursday 4th May. This followed intensive training in Community Fire Safety, Road Traffic Crashes and Wildfires. Members of the unit can be seen carrying out familiarisation training prior to accepting the appliance. Having received the appliance they didn’t have to wait long to put these recently acquired skills to the test as they were mobilised on the night to a grass fire at Kildary.

As the role of Community Fire Safety Officers the unit members welcome the opportunity to carry out visits to peoples homes to carry out a free home risk assessment, to include the fitting of a 10 year battery powered smoke detector if needed. If you feel you would benefit from a visit, or wish to join the unit then either contact a member of the unit, or the District Officer for this area on 01862 811044, who will be happy deal with your query.

Lochcarron has a new Fire Station, the official opening will take place at 4 pm on Saturday 13th May 2006.

Pictured above is LFf James Davidson, John O'Groats and Ff Graham Campbell, Wick at the recent Operation Values Partnership

Pictured is  LFF James Davidson, John O'Groats Station and FF Graham Campbell, Wick Station at the Operation Values Partnership event on 16/17 March held at Smith Terrace in Wick.

FF Ellen Irvine, Dunbeath Station, and Sub Officer Kenny Swan, Wick Station also supported the event. Another similar display was held in Loch Street, Wick.

The events attracted a large number of visitors, resulting in over 30 requests for Home Fire Safety Checks.

Thanks go to Northern Constabulary who organised the awareness raising event and to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Maritime Coastguard Agency for the use of the Airshelta, which offered welcomed protection from the elements.

A good day was had by all.

Lochcarron has finally become the first village in the UK to have smoke alarms fitted in every house.

At the end of a long campaign run by local firefighters 206 smoke alarms – supplied free by Slough-based firm Kidde Safety – were eventually fitted and 372 houses visited.

For more information click here

The crew of the Sandwick station are shown here presenting two cheques for £900 each for the Overtonlea Care Centre and for Dogs Against Drugs.

The money was raised at a Firemans Ball held in October.