Borders emergency service crews create display of support for fellow workers

Kelso paramedics and retained firefighters at the town's fire station. Photo: Gavin Horsburgh

The town’s 16-strong crew of retained firefighters created the a display of support using fire hoses at its Eschiehaugh station in under one hour last night.

They were then joined by on-shift paramedics who joined in the collective round of applause while blue lights flashed in the background at 8pm.

It’s the sixth week running that people up and down the country have taken to their doorsteps, windows and street to make some noise, aimed at showing thanks to key workers keeping the country going during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kelso paramedics and retained firefighters at the town's fire station.

It’s the first time the Kelso emergency workers have got involved in this way, though.

“We met at the station at 7pm to see what we could come up with,” fireman Mark Douglas, from Kelso, said. “It’s the first time we’ve done this and we decided that since other stations and place up and down the country has been going it we should show our support together too.

“The paramedics were cleared to come down and take part with us, so long as they weren’t on a call, and we did ask the police too but they were unable to attend.”

For the Kelso fire crew it was also a welcome chance to see each other face-to-face, albeit while keeping their distance.

“Individually we have been out each week, but we decided to get together this wee and do it from the station,” Mark added. “It was the first time we’ve seen each other for something other than a fire call.”