Editing Fair Isle (section)

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Fairislesunset.jpg|thumb|left|Sunset over the South Lighthouse]]
Other than the restaurant of the bird observatory, and its small evening-only bar, there are no pubs or restaurants on the island. There is one shop, one school and a community hall used for meetings and social events. There is no police station on the island; the main station is [[Lerwick]] and a section station is located in the village of [[Brae]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Shetland Island Area Commander |url=https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/highland-and-islands/shetland-island/ |url-status=live |publisher=Poileas Alba |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107144401/https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/highland-and-islands/shetland-island/ |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref>

Passenger service to the island is provided by [[SIC Ferries]] on the vessel ''[[Good Shepherd IV]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferry Timetables |url=https://www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable |url-status=live |publisher=Shetland Islands Council |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413104550/https://www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable |archive-date=13 April 2021}}</ref> or by a nine-seat passenger aeroplane from [[Tingwall Airport]] near Lerwick, operated by regional carrier [[Directflight]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Resources, Fair Isle |url=https://www.shetland-heritage.co.uk/downloads/resources/geographicleaflets/Fair_Isle.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=Shetland Heritage |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918235130/https://www.shetland-heritage.co.uk/downloads/resources/geographicleaflets/Fair_Isle.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

===Electricity supply===
Fair Isle is not connected to the [[National Grid (Great Britain)|National Grid]]; electricity is provided by the Fair Isle Electricity Company. From the 1980s,<ref name="BBC-12102018">{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=John |title=The glory of 24-hour power finally reaches Fair Isle |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45812273 |url-status=live |publisher=BBC News |date=12 October 2018 |access-date=12 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012050038/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45812273 |archive-date=12 October 2018}}</ref> power was generated by two [[diesel generator]]s and two [[wind turbine]]s. Diesel generators were automatically switched off if wind turbines provided sufficient power. Excess capacity was distributed through a separate network for home heating, with remote frequency-sensitive programmable relays controlling water heaters and storage heaters in the buildings of the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fairisle.org.uk/FIECo/renewed/control.htm|title=Fair Isle Renewed|work=Network Control|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042621/http://www.fairisle.org.uk/FIECo/renewed/control.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Following the installation of three wind turbines, combined with solar panels and batteries, in a £3.5&nbsp;million scheme completed in October 2018, the island has had a 24-hour electricity supply.<ref name="BBC-12102018" />

===Communication===
Fair Isle is home to two [[GSM]] 900&nbsp;MHz base stations operated by [[Vodafone UK|Vodafone]] and [[O2 (United Kingdom)|O2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ |title=Sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk reference 6840 and 6983 |access-date=5 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207163802/http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ |archive-date=7 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 16 April 2019, an [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] 4G antenna was turned on by [[Openreach]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cope|first=Chris|date=18 April 2019|title='Life-changing' 4G arrives in Fair Isle|url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/04/18/life-changing-4g-arrives-in-fair-isle/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418155845/https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/04/18/life-changing-4g-arrives-in-fair-isle/|archive-date=18 April 2019|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Shetland News}}</ref> In 2023, the island became connected by a [[Submarine communications cable|fibre submarine cable]], as a spur off a cable linking Shetland and Orkney. This supplements and upgrades the long-distance microwave link opened in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Isle: BT Microwave Sites |url=https://www.dgsys.co.uk/btmicrowave/sites/27.php |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.dgsys.co.uk}}</ref> Full fibre services then became available to all properties on the island.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Mark |date=2023-12-28 |title=Full Fibre Rollout to Remote Fair Isle Sets New Openreach Record |url=https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/12/full-fibre-rollout-to-remote-fair-isle-sets-new-openreach-record.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ISPreview UK}}</ref>

===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>