One of the country’s leading water rescue experts has been appointed to lead the fire service in the north-east.
Ian Findlay is the new local senior officer for Aberdeenshire and Moray and has vowed to use his knowledge to protect the area from severe flooding.
Storm Frank hit the region in December 2015, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes when the River Don and River Don burst their banks.
Mr Findlay wants to make the most of his 25 years of experience to help the north-east battle floods in the future.
He said: “There are 40 flood tactical advisors in the UK, but I am the only one in Scotland at the moment, with more being trained now – so it is crucial that I share this knowledge with our firefighters who stand on the front line.
“This area has been quite severely affected by flooding in the past; in places like Ballater but also throughout and across the north.
“I pay testament to the fortitude of those communities who rallied in the aftermath of this devastation and to our firefighters who worked so hard along with our partners to keep people safe – in the most challenging circumstances.”
Mr Findlay has previously worked in rural areas like Argyll but also had a spell with the fire service in Glasgow.
He said he is keen to build strong links with the other emergency services that cover the north-east as well as Aberdeenshire and Moray councils.
Mr Findlay said: “I am a great believer in the need to build strong and positive links with our local authority and emergency service partners, to ensure we put the needs of local people to the front and centre of everything we do.
“We regularly train and prepare with the police and ambulance service to ensure we respond quickly and effectively to a whole range of incidents, which is crucial.
“It is also important that communities feel they are involved and we make every attempt to reach out where possible, including through safety initiatives, also teaching lifesaving skills such as CPR and even charitable events.
“It is also key that there is a healthy level of scrutiny and accountability of everything that we do, and we also regularly report in to our local authority partners to provide the most current snapshot within the region – and our ongoing action.”
