Thursday July 30th 2026
Chairman of Hawick Community Council Cameron Knox, Hon Provost Cllr Clair Ramage, Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire, and John Lamont at Hawick Fire Station
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A Borders MP paid a fact-finding visit to Hawick Fire Station this week after services there were downgraded.
Dismay was expressed by townsfolk and elected representatives last month after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board rubber-stamped a decision to implement an “office hours” working pattern at the town’s fire station.
It followed an extensive nationwide Service Delivery Review undertaken as part of continuing work to “modernise the service and ensure operational resources are matched to changing risk and demand”.
The introduction of a day-shift duty system (DSDS) at the Howdenbank station means firefighters will no longer be on site after 6pm.
The new model will see essential fire crews only being available during daytime hours from 8am to 6pm on weekdays.
The after-hours and weekend cover service is to be provided by the community based on-call (formerly retained) staff.
Under the plans contingency arrangements for the entire central and southern Borders would be provided by full-time Galashiels-based crews.
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service say the move is being made as a result of the need to make “essential operational efficiencies and to address budget constraints”.
This week John Lamont, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk visited the facility alongside Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire, the chairman of Hawick Community Council Cameron Knox, and Honorary Provost Councillor Clair Ramage.
They met with the station’s assistant Chief Fire Officer David Farries.
Mr Lamont has revealed that fire chiefs are to continue keeping services at the station under review and that if “detrimental changes” were identified services would be reconsidered.
Mr Lamont said: “I was extremely disappointed when the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service pressed ahead with downgrading Hawick Fire Station from full-time, 24-hour cover to daytime-only provision.
“Hawick needs proper fire service provision, and these cuts could put lives at risk, particularly with major new developments planned for the area.
“They have told me that they will keep the service under review, and if there are detrimental changes, they will reconsider services at the fire station.”
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