The service originated from Northern Area Fire Brigade which was created by the passing of Fire Services Act. However, during the local government reorganization in1975, the service became Northern Fire Brigade and acquired Western Isles as part of its area cover. In 1983, the name again was changed into Highland and Islands Fire Brigade to reflect more the responsibilities of the service and just recently in 2005, the name again was changed into its current name- Highlands and Island Fire and Rescue Service- as a result of Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. It was also that year they adopted “protect and respond” slogan for the service.
Basically, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service of Northern Scotland, covering the council areas of Highland, Orkney, Shetland, and Western Isles. It is the only service in UK covering the largest area which is roughly equivalent to the size of Belgium.
The service has 127 fire stations in operation around the area and it has only 1 wholetime station installed in Inverness. It has 95 stations operating based on a retained duty system, and 31 stations are operating as Community Response Units. All stations are financed and supported by local district offices which are located in Aviermore, Fort William, Invergordon, Ullapool, Dornoch, Portree, Thurso, Stornoway, Benbecula, Kirkwall and Lerwick.
The services’ headquarters is in Inverness which employs approximately 1870 staff.
