New LSO appointed in Dumfries and Galloway

A highly experienced fire officer is relishing his new role as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer (LSO) for Dumfries and Galloway.

Area Commander Derek Heaton takes up the post following an extensive career that spans more than two decades as a firefighter.

His new role will involve the responsibility for 17 community fire stations across the region. He will also oversee close collaboration with key partners, such as other blue-light services and local authorities, to improve and enhance the safety of local communities.

The 46-year-old said: “I am proud to take on this role and in this line of work, it’s a job where you can really make a difference. That’s what I hope to do for the people in Dumfries and Galloway.”

This move also brings him back to the region after he was part of the team that responded during Storm Frank in 2015, when Newton Stewart was heavily impacted by devastating floods.

Area Commander Heaton said: These were some of the worst and biggest incidents of flooding I’ve ever attended.

“The level of commitment and professionalism from the crews in the area was second to none.

“Crews were rotated as per procedure for rest and recouperation purposes but worked day in, day out to ensure they could assist their community. It was unbelievably impressive.”

Area Commander Heaton began his frontline career in 2001 when he joined the ranks at Paisley Community Fire Station in Renfrewshire.

Previously he had worked at the National Engineering Laboratory in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire when was inspired by the recommendation of his firefighter team-mates while playing football for Johnstone Burgh.

The father-of-two insisted he has never looked back and has since developed a wealth of experience in the fire and rescue service, undertaking roles in across the West and North of Scotland and most recently the LSO area for Perth, Kinross, Angus and Dundee.

He will now visit all of community fire stations across the region and has praised the continued efforts of his crews to protect their local communities.

He said: “Dumfries and Galloway is such a large area, has the largest landmass of forestry in Scotland and is approximately 6,000 square metres.

“That brings its own potential issues such as the flooding and wildfires.

“The vast majority of our crews across this region are called via a pager system and commit their time to help protect the communities they live in. That alone is an incredible commitment.”

SFRS is recruiting on call firefighters across Dumfries and Galloway.

On call firefighters carry a pager and respond to a range of emergency incidents.

They also engage directly with members of the public to promote fire, road and water safety to help protect local communities.

Area Commander Heaton added: "On call firefighters provide an essential service for the communities of Scotland.

"Their dedication and commitment to serve their area is aspirational.

"We need more on-call firefighters across Scotland and are actively recruiting for the role. Anyone who may be interested can visit our website or visit their local station.”

Visit firescotland.gov.uk/careers for more information on how to apply.