Editing Fair Isle (section)

===Emergency services===
Fair Isle has a [[fire station]] equipped with a single fire appliance, and staffed by a [[retained fire crew]] of local volunteers. It was originally part of the [[Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service]], which was absorbed into the national [[Scottish Fire and Rescue Service]] on 1 April 2013. A locally organised volunteer fire brigade was formed in 1996 by island residents. This was later absorbed into the statutory fire service, with professional training provided, and the local service designated a retained fire crew. The first purpose-built [[fire engine]] was stationed to the island in 2002.<ref>History of the service and the appliance recorded in [http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/new-fire-stations-opened-on-fair-isle-and-whalsay-1-2837231 The Scotsman] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321065017/http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/new-fire-stations-opened-on-fair-isle-and-whalsay-1-2837231 |date=21 March 2014}} newspaper.</ref>

In October 2011, a contract for the construction of a £140,000 purpose-built fire station was awarded to Shetland company Ness Engineering,<ref>Contract award and value recorded in [http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/10/31/work-to-begin-over-the-winter-on-long-overdue-fair-isle-fire-station/ The Shetland Times] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321073248/http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2011/10/31/work-to-begin-over-the-winter-on-long-overdue-fair-isle-fire-station/ |date=21 March 2014}} newspaper.</ref> who completed the construction and equipping of the fire station, including its connection to the island power and water supplies, and the installation of a rainwater harvesting system within the building.<ref>Construction and design outlined by [http://www.nessengineering.com/fairislefire Ness Engineering] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321064307/http://www.nessengineering.com/fairislefire |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref> The new fire station was officially opened on 14 March 2013.<ref>Link to photographs of the [http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-opening-of-fair-isles-new-fire.html opening ceremony] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321072718/http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-opening-of-fair-isles-new-fire.html |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref>

There is a small [[His Majesty's Coastguard|Coastguard]] cliff-rescue team on the island. Like the fire service, the Coastguard is a retained (volunteer) emergency service.<ref>[http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/hm-coastguard-metal-ceremony-service.html Photographs] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321071301/http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/hm-coastguard-metal-ceremony-service.html |date=21 March 2014}} of Fair Isle Coastguard team members receiving long-service awards.</ref> The Fair Isle Coastguard cliff rescue team were the first British Coastguard unit to be equipped with a [[quad ATV]].<ref>The quad is reported, with photographs, [http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/photos-about-fair-isle-december-2013.html here] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321070101/http://fair-isle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/photos-about-fair-isle-december-2013.html |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref> The quad is painted in HM Coastguard livery, with reflective [[Battenburg markings]] and has an optional equipment trailer.

There are no emergency medical services on Fair Isle. Routine medical care is provided by a community nurse. In the event of accident and emergency the community nurse provides [[first aid]] until casualties can be removed to Shetland Mainland, usually by helicopter air ambulance. In severe weather conditions or life-threatening emergencies, the Coastguard helicopter can undertake the patient evacuation.<ref>An example of such a [http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=EDA198123A531C6A&m=4&y=2009 medical evacuation] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321071937/http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id=EDA198123A531C6A&m=4&y=2009 |date=21 March 2014}}.</ref>