Commitment from local volunteers means that fire engines are available in the area 82 per cent of the time, with cover coming from the wider region the rest of the time.
A report by the fire service was given to councillors this week, it said: “Moffat, Lockerbie, Langholm, Gretna and Annan managed a combined availability of over 82 per cent which shows a fantastic level of dedication. This performance is not replicated throughout Scotland and is a credit to those serving in their local communities.”
Meanwhile, employers in Annandale are being urged to give their workers flexibility so they can join the service.
The report says: “One person’s availability can be the difference of an appliance being available 100 per cent during the daytime or, not being available at all. We acknowledge the importance of providing a robust service in our local communities and the SFRS will continue to engage with local employers to try to maintain and secure on call firefighter provisions for the future.
“Day time hours between 8 am and 10 pm remain the busiest time for call-outs within the region. This highlights the ever growing need to maintain the number of firefighters available during the working day.”
A summary of callouts in the area last year, up to March 2022, was also given.
There was a rise in non-domestic fires and road safety incidents, but false alarms accounted for 49 per cent of the total incidents attended in Annandale and Eskdale.
In addition, there were 21 accidental house fires, mostly linked to cooking, with half of them starting in the kitchen. Four people were hurt as a result, aged from 29 to 89.
Increased traffic on the M74 through Annandale led to ‘a significant rise’ in road incidents last year, including two deaths and 33 more casualties.
Other incidents attended by fire crews included six animal assistance cases, eight flooding incidents and people trapped in lifts.
They were also regularly called on to help the ambulance service, carers and police get into properties where someone has fallen.
Prevention work continued in the last 12 months to highlight the dangers of deliberately starting fires.
A joint statement was sent out with the police to Annan Academy and Newington Primary on the dangers of deliberate fire-setting and entering derelict buildings.
However, there was still the highest number of such incidents in five years locally.
Firefighters continue to send the message ahead of Bonfire Night and have even joined Tik-Tok to reach local youngsters.
