CLYDEBANK has a new fire chief who has served 20 years in the service, including the recent Govan scrap yard fire visible as far as Helensburgh.

Scottish Fire and Rescue appointed Jim McNeil as local senior officer for East and West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute and he said communities will be at the heart of his job.

In March, LSO McNeil led more than 80 firefighters in Govan who successfully battled the flames through a thick plume of smoke that could be seen from up to 50 miles away.

Jim said: “My predecessor, Jim Hymas, left a legacy of high standards and I will absolutely ensure that we continue to meet them.

“As the area manager, I will continue the service’s commitment to finding local solutions to local problems.

“Working with our partners across four local authorities and colleagues in the emergency services, I want to make sure that the needs of the people are at the heart of everything we do.

“The town and villages in this area are made up of such diverse social and cultural backgrounds, and the geography can include everything from built up urban areas to isolated islands.

“Because of this the area – quite rightly – has high expectations and high demands of the service, and the needs of one community can be vastly different from another.

“The skills and leadership qualities that I have developed over the last two decades have prepared me for this new challenge.”