Fochabers firefighter takes on top Scottish role with union
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FOCHABERS firefighter has taken on a national role for a fire service union.
Crew Commander Dave Crawford, who is a retained firefighter at the village’s fire station and a civilian firefighter at RAF Lossiemouth, has been unveiled as the Fire and Rescue Services Association’s (FRSA) new officer for Scotland.
Until July 2018 the union was known as the Retained Firefighters Union.
A chance conversation with FRSA chief executive Tristan Ashby was to set the long-time union member on a new path.
Mr Crawford said: “Tristan sent an email out asking if anyone was interested in the post and I thought I’d give it a go.
“One of the things that spurred me on to apply was the fact that we’ve had no representation at this level in Scotland for a while.
“I think the union and its members has missed out not having a voice at that level.
“Membership has dwindled over the years as some of the older firefighters who were in the then RFU have left or retired.
“It’s worth remembering that about 80 per cent of Scotland’s firefighters are retained or volunteer and they need to have their voices properly heard.
“Not having a national officer has meant that the profile of the FRSA has fallen and much of the attention has fallen on the FBU (Fire Brigades Union).
“For example, the FBU do a presentation as part of firefighters’ two-week induction course and at the end hand out applications for these new recruits to join.
“That’s fair enough, but only if the other unions operating in the SFRS (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) get the same opportunity.
“Firefighters have to know that there are options out there before they decide.
“In recent years I don’t think the FRSA has really had the representation our members deserve in important negotiations with the SFRS on issues such as terms and conditions, pay and pensions.
“Part of my job is to be that voice for the FRSA.”
Mr Crawford brings with him 25 years of experience as a firefighter, saying one of the reasons he chose to join what was then the RFU was its no-strike policy and his own commitment to simply serve the community and give something back.
He is under no illusion as to the size of the task ahead but was full of confidence as he embraces the role.
“This is a volunteer role, I’ll continue working at RAF Lossiemouth and being a retained firefighter here in Fochabers,” Mr Crawford continued.
“I’ve basically got the whole of Scotland, from the Borders right up to Shetland, to cover, so it’s going to be a huge job.
“I’ve only been in post for a few weeks and am already on a steep learning curve.
“At the moment I’m in the process of emailing every fire station in Scotland to let them now that the FRSA has an officer in Scotland and if they need advice or help to get in touch with me.
“Going forward I’ll be hoping to get more station reps to help spread the load a bit and obviously I’m keen to recruit more members for the union.
“If any one needs to get in touch with me, email hq@frsa.org.uk”
Mr Crawford added that his role was different in some ways to his counterparts south of the border, when areas were covered by individual brigades as opposed to the single brigade covering the whole of Scotland.
Giving Mr Crawford a warm welcome was Mr Ashby.
He said: “We’re very pleased and proud that Dave has agreed to take on this role.
“He’s a very experienced firefighter and manager and a very level-headed professional.
“It’s great we have someone on the ground who has an understanding of the members’ wants, needs and expectations.”
