Orkney MSP Liam McArthur is to consult with senior fire service officers over the shortage of firefighters on the islands, highlighted earlier this week.
A number of retained fire stations across Orkney continue to struggle to recruit and retain the crew they need.
Mr McArthur said: “The figures out this week demonstrate that we still face a serious challenge in maintaining capacity in retained fire stations on some of Orkney’s smaller islands. This is an issue that has been raised with me by various communities over the years and is something I have been raising regularly with the fire and rescue service.
“In the past, I have sought reassurances that the training requirements for retained fire crew are proportionate and focused on the sort of situations they are likely to face in the islands. I have also pressed for more to be done to allow this training to be carried out in Orkney as far as possible.”
He added: “Despite earlier commitments given to me by the head of Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Service, it is clear that problems remain, notably on islands such as North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray and Eday. I appreciate there are no easy solutions, and circumstances may be different in each community. I am determined, however, to keep up the pressure.
“These retained stations are vitally important to the islands they serve. I will be speaking to the Assistant Chief Officer for North Division in the coming days and looking for re-stated commitments over the future of our island stations.”