After some basic firefighting training at Portsmouth the 'Volunteers' from the Battalion went north to Scotland as part of the Army's support during the Fireman's strike.

'A' Company went to a disused factory at Queenslie, in the East end of Glasgow, and sent a second contingent to Lanark. '

B' Company were stationed at Greenock, Kilburnie and Preswick

In general they worked 12 hour shifts with an 18 hour shift once a week to change from days to nights.

At anyone time 4 crews were on duty, 2 on 'immediate' and 2 on 'standby'. All crews were supported by the local Police to get them to the right place when required.

'A' Coy were only attacked once whilst carrying out thier duties, once during a car fire episode and the second when Celtic lost to Rangers.

The better 'Shouts' were to 'The School' 'The County Pub' 'Ardgay Street' 'Lochdockart Road' 'Salamanca road, coffin factory' plus other smaller events.

Kev DAY who has supplied us with lots of the information below , and who has gone on to become a regular firefighter has asked us not to mention the time where he was directly responsible for totally flooding out a supermarket whilst tackling a fairly minor blaze in a nearby bakery, it could ruin his reputation with his current colleagues !!!