The Central Scotland Fire & Rescue Service Urban Search & Rescue Team was formed in 2002 under the Governments "New Dimension" Project.

"New Dimension" and more recently the "Resilience" project, came into being as a result of the terrorist attacks carried out in November 2001 in the United States of America.

Central Scotland Fire & Rescue were the first in Scotland to set up and implement USAR Teams and to this end are at the forefront of this highly technical aspect of rescue.

All operational firefighters at Alloa station are highly trained in USAR skills and techniques.

Using "state of the art" equipment and tools, backed up by advanced training and techniques, the USAR teams based at Alloa Fire Station are Central Scotlands first response to any terrorist attack or major disaster that may occur in the heart of Scotland.

This website will give you an insight into the skills and training of the firefighters at Alloa Fire Station in this aspect of one of the many tasks which the Fire Service carry out.

This website is dedicated to the memory of Watch Commander John Noble who was taken too soon from us as a result of a road traffic collision involving the Alloa Water Tender Ladder on the way to a firecall on 23/01/2008.

John was a pioneer in Central Scotland Fire & Rescue's Urban Search & Rescue team and no words can express how much he is missed by his colleagues and friends at Alloa fire station and throughout Central Scotland Fire & Rescue Service.

Rest in peace, John.....never forgotten.