'They have considered all the extensive consultation and then completely ignored it'
Date revealed for final decision on future of Hawick Fire Station...
Last updated 4th Jun 2026
It's claimed officials are pushing ahead with plans to downgrade Hawick Fire Station - meaning it will only be staffed on weekdays during office hours.
The results of a cost-cutting review were put on hold following overwhelming opposition to the proposals locally, and then again to avoid a clash with the Holyrood elections.
Now, it's emerged, a final decision is expected to be made by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at a meeting on June 22nd.
And it's understood local councillors have been given an update on the one option for the Borders.
The move follows consultations over proposals to introduce a Day Staffing Model at the Howdenbank station.
The new model could see essential fire crews only being available during daytime hours from 8am to 6pm on weekdays.
The after-hours and weekend cover service would 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 proposal - which is expected to save more than £400,000 - is being made as a result of the need to make “essential operational efficiencies and to address budget constraints”.
But today (Thursday) senior Hawick councillor Watson McAteer (Independent), the convener of Scottish Borders Council, described the move as “absolutely ridiculous”.
Mr McAteer said a full service would soon be needed more than ever, particularly with a new £450m Center Parcs holiday village to open on the outskirts of the town within three years.
He said: “They have considered all the extensive consultation and then completely ignored it.
“I am furious and I think it is absolutely ridiculous. I think the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Board and the Scottish Government should look hard in the mirror at what they are doing to this community.
“The Government’s job is to protect its citizens and Hawick and the local community has been let down by the the Scottish Government and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.
“It’s not a 24/7, 365 day-a-year service – it’s a nine to five office hours, Monday to Friday.
“This fails to recognise the massive development changes taking place in Hawick, with Center Parcs breaking ground and to be in place by 2029, that’s less than three years away, a care village is also being built in Hawick, this is absolutely ridiculous.
“The biggest town in the Borders being left with a nine to five, Monday to Friday fire service. It’s shocking.”
Fellow Hawick councillor Annette Smart (SNP) is equally concerned.
“It's not clear to me from this what happens at the weekends, but it is clear that the night shift will no longer be wholetime firefighters,“ she said.
“I feel this is very disappointing and the Fire Service chiefs do not appear to have listened to the people of Hawick, the Council or local Councillors concerns.“
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service has stressed “no decision“ has been made on the Service Delivery Review ahead of a meeting of the SFRS Board on Monday, June 22nd.
Explaining the move, it says: “Hawick has the second lowest operational demand of all similar stations that have two appliances.
“Out of the two appliances at Hawick one is crewed by wholetime firefighters and the other crewed by on call firefighters. Operational demand is more aligned to the busiest on call stations elsewhere in Scotland.
“Hawick’s roof structure is affected by RAAC and urgent repairs are required. We are unable to begin repair work until a decision is made on the station configuration and duty system.
“Galashiels is in a prime location to support on call availability across the local area. The station has received a refurbishment costing approximately £3.6 million.“
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