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Brigades pour cold water on Millennium fears
21/12/1999
Scotland's fire brigades are ready to deal with emergencies to their usual high standard over the millennium period, Deputy Justice Minister Angus MacKay said today.
Mr MacKay visited Tollcross Fire Station in Edinburgh to see how brigades have made sure they remain unaffected by the Millennium Bug.
He said:
"All eight of Scotland's fire brigades are to be congratulated on the hard work they have done to prepare for the millennium. They have been working since early 1998 to ensure that the Millennium Bug does not reduce their capability for responding to emergencies and have all now achieved Blue status.
"Emergency responses rely heavily on modern technology. I am confident that a service which deals with the unexpected on a day-to-day basis has taken every possible step to anticipate potential problems.
"The public can rest easy in the knowledge that the fire service will provide cover to the usual high standard over the millennium period, ensuring everyone has a safe and prosperous New Year. People should play their part too by taking sensible precautions to avoid fires in their homes over the holiday period."
BACKGROUND
1. The Fire Service in Scotland has been working since early in 1998 to ensure that it will be fully capable of responding to emergencies over the Millennium period. The progress of this work and the state of preparedness of the service has been subject to independent assessment which has resulted in all eight Scottish brigades being accorded Blue status.
2. The independent assessment was carried out by HM Inspectorate of Fire Services for Scotland in three stages during 1999 - initial visits, reports on matters requiring attention and follow-up assessments.
3. The follow-up assessments established that every conceivable step had been taken to anticipate and avoid problems and to prepare for the unexpected.
News Release: SE1756/1999
21 Dec 1999