Speaking one year after the formation of the SFRS, Chief Officer Alasdair Hay said the new single service would ensure communities benefited from the strengths of each of the eight previous services working as one.

And he highlighted the bravery of those who attended the Glasgow pub on Friday, November 29, last year after a police helicopter crashed into the building leaving a trail of destruction that left a country in mourning.

He said: “Crews in every part of the country have responded to a wide range of incidents during the past year, from house fires and road traffic collisions to significant wildfires in the north and the devastating Clutha Bar helicopter crash in Glasgow.

“That tragedy showed the strong partnership between each of the emergency services as firefighters, ambulance crews, police officers and NHS medical staff all responded in unison to save life and protect the public.” We previously told how crews from the Kilbowie Road station braved dangerous conditions to tunnel through rubble and help victims and rescue a number of people who were trapped at the scene.

Ten people were killed in the horror accident including former St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School and St Paul’s Primary pupil PC Kirsty Nelis who was one of three members of the helicopter team who lost their lives.

Area commander Paul Connelly, senior officer for Dunbartonshire, told the Post of his pride following his crew’s bravery in the face of what he described as a truly “harrowing” scene.

He said: “The crews from Clydebank and neighbouring Dumbarton, due to their specialised training, were a big part of the recovery and I am very proud of my crews for the work they put in during the operation at the Clutha Bar.” Last week that view was echoed by Assistant Chief Officer David Goodhew, the SFRS director of response and resilience, who added: “People need to know that when an emergency arises they can rely on a highly trained, professional and properly equipped fire and rescue service.

“Our crews will always do everything that can be done to save lives and help those involved in any emergency – and every community in Scotland can call on specialist resources whenever they are needed.

“As well as fighting fires, crews throughout Scotland are routinely called to conduct road rescues, swift-water rescues and rescues from height. Firefighters also provide vital response to incidents involving potentially hazardous materials, flooding or where urban search and rescue operations may be required.

“As one national service we draw upon the skills and experience of firefighters in every part of the country to ensure the appropriate specialist resources and personnel are always available.

“This was of course very apparent in the aftermath of the Clutha tragedy, where crews across Scotland were deployed to Glasgow as part of a single, co-ordinated response.”