Emergency Response And Command Vehicles Commissioned

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has commissioned two emergency response and command vehicles, funded by the Scottish Executive. One will cover Lewis and Harris whilst the second vehicle will be based in Balivanich, covering the Uists and Barra.

Vice-Convener of the Comhairle, Mr. Angus Campbell, said: “These vehicles are an additional and valuable resource for the Comhairle’s Emergency Planning response teams. We learnt many lessons from the storms that hit the Islands in January and one was that we needed to have better and more flexible communication arrangements, particularly in the event of normal systems being disrupted. These vehicles will greatly assist in that function. They will also play an important role in the everyday aspects of the Comhairle's work, providing a useful resource for the roads service".

The vehicles were identified as an essential resource for the Islands in the Comhairle’s response to the Scottish Executive following January’s storms.

The vehicles are Landrover 110 Countys fitted with a communications cabinet which can be operated from inside the vehicle as a mobile command post or removed quickly and decanted to a village hall or other emergency location. The vehicle is also fitted with a winch, high level air intake, extra light pack and roof rack.

The communications cabinet consists of a satellite phone, council radio, Global Positioning System, connections for police radio if required and a coastguard connection. Hand portable radios are also attached and can be issued to staff in an emergency.

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk