Ian McMeekin, Area Commander and Local Senior Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reveals why he stepped up for the role of Vice Chair of the Community Justice Ayrshire Partnership Board.
As the Area Commander and Local Senior Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Ayrshire, I am entrusted with leading a team of 440 members of staff across the wider region’s 27 community fire stations and dedicated functional departments. My primary responsibilities include creating strategies and optimising resource allocation to fulfil the objectives outlined in all three local fire and rescue plans, focusing particularly on enhancing the safety of at-risk individuals and improving the wellbeing of local residents.
As part of my role, I work closely with different groups from across public, private, and third sector organisations. This teamwork helps the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to provide important assistance to those who need it the most across Ayrshire’s diverse communities.
With over three decades of public sector experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge from my time working within various legacy fire and rescue services across Scotland, including those in Grampian, Dumfries and Galloway, and Strathclyde. I have also spent two years serving as an instructor at the former Scottish Fire and Rescue Services College in Gullane, formerly located on the east coast of Scotland.
Beyond my operational duties as a fire officer, I’ve accrued a diverse range of experiences. These include roles such as a Fire Safety Enforcement Officer overseeing the application of legislative fire safety across the Kintyre Peninsula and Inner Hebrides; overseeing internal business continuity planning arrangements for the fire and rescue service in North Lanarkshire, and leading the Prevention and Protection unit within the City of Glasgow area.
Throughout my career, I have embraced various strategic roles within the fire and rescue service, including responsibilities within the organisation’s Strategic Planning, Performance and Communications Directorate, and national Prevention and Protection function. Furthermore, I have been an active member of a dedicated Fire Reform Project Team, responsible for integrating the eight-legacy fire and rescue services into the unified Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; in addition to forming part of a dedicated team focused on overseeing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s prevention, protection and response arrangements for Scotland’s hosting of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Before my current role, I served as a Programme Manager, driving organisational change and continual improvement across the wider Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Drawing from my professional background, I am acutely aware of the importance of partnership working and co-operation in addressing the key issues impacting on local communities. My unwavering commitment to our shared priorities drives me to understand and tackle potential barriers preventing people’s access to support mechanisms across the region. I focus on prevention and early intervention strategies, aiming to reduce the inequalities that might adversely impact on the life opportunities of fellow Ayrshire residents.
For the past four years, I have had the privilege of representing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on the Community Justice Ayrshire Partnership Board. I stepped up for the role of Vice Chair driven by my strong enthusiasm for the partnership and its ethos. Fundamental to my professional philosophy is the unwavering belief that, provided with ample support, resources, determination, and encouragement, every individual has the capability to flourish.
During my downtime, I enjoy exploring the outdoors through hill walking and I am a keen football enthusiast, attending random games across the wider UK. I also enjoy exploring the fascinating history of Ayrshire, particularly with a focus on the important role of aviation at Prestwick Airport over the many years, and the significant industrial advancements made by the former ICI Noble company in Ardeer.
