Fire and rescue control rooms in North facing axe
![Under new plans, a modern control room would be built at Dundee, with Aberdeen and Inverness control rooms to be closed. Picture: TSPL](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_29186483.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Under new plans, a modern control room would be built at Dundee, with Aberdeen and Inverness control rooms to be closed. Picture: TSPL](/img/placeholder.png)
The controversial plans to shut centres in Inverness and Aberdeen – and build a modern control room in Dundee – are to be debated by members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board later this week.
It is understood that details contained in the newly-formed brigade’s Strategic Intent document – which lays out proposals for the future shape of the service and which also claims the Glasgow centre would be retained – have been leaked on an internal website used by staff.
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Hide AdIt is believed that any closure of control rooms would be phased over a three-year period.
The newly-formed Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was created earlier this year after the Scottish Government merged the country’s eight brigades into one.
Scottish Fire Brigades Union secretary John Duffy said: “We are waiting to see the official proposals and see what direction the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board takes.
“Then we will consult our members.”
A fire and rescue service spokesman confirmed the Strategic Intent document would be considered by the board on Thursday in Aberdeen.
But he added: “No decisions will be made until the board has taken full consideration of all the options being proposed.
“It would be counter-productive for me to comment on any of those options before the meeting.”
David Stewart, Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “I am concerned about the loss of local knowledge in the control room.”
SNP councillor Jean Slater, a member of Highland Counc8il’s community safety, public engagement and equalities committee, said: “I would be extremely disappointed if Inverness is going to lose its control room because of the local jobs and local knowledge.”