Fire Brigade Award

Congratulations to Nan MacLachlan, Kilchoan Fire & Rescue's Crew Manager, who is seen here with the Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, Donald Angus Cameron, 27th Locheil, at a ceremony at which Nan was presented with a well-deserved 20-year long-service medal.

West Ardnamurchan is very fortunate to have its own Fire & Rescue station. Other small Scottish communities, particularly those out on the islands, are struggling to recruit enough members - a minimum of six is required. Part of the problem is the training, which is far more rigorous and time-consuming than it used to be, and requires weekends or longer periods spent away at the Fire Brigade's training HQ near Inverness. One big change is that all firemen have to be able to enter a burning building with breathing apparatus, equipment which is heavy and extremely awkward to wear.

Nan is one of a team of nine at Kilchoan Fire & Rescue, all people who are willing to give their time and energies to, and, if the need arises, risk their lives for members of their community.