“It is a fire service tradition to show that we can adapt to support our communities – and this has certainly come to the fore over recent weeks.” Deputy Assistant Chief Officer David Farries

Working together to deliver vital supplies to our communities has seen the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) throughout Scotland delivering prescriptions to the homes of those who are unwell, isolating or shielding and in need of medications.

The SFRS Community Action and Fire Safety Enforcement Teams and those within rural full-time posts and also retained firefighters have been delivering the prescriptions.

Stromness Firefighter Ross Harvey with prescriptions picked up from local chemist

Ross Harvey, 24, has been a retained firefighter for almost five years and is based at Stromness Community Fire Station, Orkney.

Ross, who became a retained firefighter to give something back to his community, said:

“This is, without doubt, a vital lifeline.

“The last thing that we would want is someone risking their health to get the basics like medication so we are only too happy to provide assistance at this time, and people have been really grateful.”

Requests to assist deliveries have come through several channels including local resilience partnerships, humanitarian assistance centres, community councils and local authorities.

They are authorised by Local Senior Officers who ensure that there is resilience to carry out the deliveries while maintaining the ability to respond to emergencies.

The national effort is overseen by the SFRS Community Resilience Assistance Group which is chaired by Deputy Assistant Chief Officer David Farries.

DACO Farries said:

DACO David Farries

“We have been working very closely with all of our partners to ensure that prescriptions are delivered to the most vulnerable, particularly in the more remote and rural areas of the country.

“It should be noted that our staff are of course delivering prescriptions whilst following strict hygiene measures as well as safe systems of work and social distancing.

“I would say a huge thanks to them on behalf of the service because we understand that this is a challenging time and yet they continue to show that spirit of willingness to help others.

“It is a fire service tradition to show that we can adapt to support our communities – and this has certainly come to the fore over recent weeks.”

Firefighter Ross Harvey pictured on Orkney