SMR 1600 / NS 8563 7314
The completion of the Slamannan water mains in 1903 meant that due consideration could be given to a proper drainage system and to the provision of firefighting equipment. In 1911 the County Council provided 750ft of hosepipes, a stand pipe and nozzles for firefighting. These were stored in Gillespie’s shop in the Main Street ready for use. It was only the advent of the Second World War that led to the establishment of a fire station in the village as part of the Auxiliary Fire Service. In May 1942 the AFS took over the empty building which had been Rosemount School and converted it into a fire station. The small siren which had been placed on the police station at Calton Hill was transferred to Rosemount School. Huge garage doors were knocked out of the gable looking towards the War Memorial with a concrete lintel supported the opening. The wooden floor of the room behind was removed and a coating of tar placed on the earth. This was little more than a thin layer and any motor jacks used on it sank into the ground. The walls were lined with plaster to just above waist height. A slow combustion stove was installed into one of the rooms. The AFS also kept a small pump and ladder with other equipment in a wooden garage at a bungalow on the Pirney Lodge Road called St Claire and had to borrow a local lorry to pull it.
Bibliography
| Falkirk Herald | 9 May 1942 | Rosemount School, Slamannan being converted for use by the fire brigade |
| Waugh, J. | 1977 | Slamannan Parish through the Changing Years, P. 115 (Quoted below) |
- “In May 1942 the Fire Brigade took over the old Rosemount School, and converted it to receive the fire fighting equipment. A new fire station was opened in 1969, and later the old fire station at Rosemount was demolished“.
Falkirk Local History Society 