Councillor slams decision to exclude RNLI from Moray Emergency Services Day
THE exclusion of Buckie RNLI from Moray Council's recent Emergency Services Day has seen a local councillor speak of her shock and disappointment.
The celebration of the role played by the emergency services in Moray was held on October 19, which saw representatives of Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard and NHS Scotland welcomed to the local authority's HQ in Elgin by council leader Councillor John Cowe. However, none of the team of volunteer lifesavers from Buckie RNLI were invited to be part of the event.
It is a decision which has left Buckie councillor Sonya Warren both bewildered and angry. She has written to council chief executive Roddy Burns to ask for an explanation as to why the RNLI, and other emergency services such as Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO) and the mountain rescue, were not given an invitation.
Councillor Warren said: "I was deeply disappointed to see that life-saving organisations such as Buckie RNLI, MIRO and the mountain rescue were omitted from this event and the following press release and photo.
"We want to see our emergency, life-saving organisations recognised and celebrated for the hugely worthwhile and valuable services they provide.
"Personally, the most notable absentee was the RNLI. It was the Buckie station that was used for the recovery of the Fraserburgh lifeboat, the bodies and the sole survivor of that disaster. This is still often spoken about locally and, as far as I'm aware, one of the most local emergency services to suffer loss of life in the line of duty.
"I flagged up the RNLI's exclusion at last year's event so I'm deeply disappointed that they've been left out again this year.
"However, every emergency service is unique and equally deserving of joining this celebration event.
"Hopefully they will be included in next year's Emergency Services Day and it will become a more encompassing and representative event in the future. I very much welcome this celebration of the vital work done by the emergency services but there was a very blatant omission this year."
Councillor Warren that in her letter to Mr Burns she suggested that he pay a visit to Buckie RNLI lifeboat station and see first hand the work done by the volunteer crew and shore-based team.
Moray Council declined to comment but stated that the list for next year's Emergency Services Day will be reviewed.