Des has worked with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for almost 14 years and has held a number of different positions before being promoted to his new role.
The just turned 40-year-old was born and bred in Kirkintilloch and worked in the town as a sign maker before becoming a firefighter.

Did you always want to join the fire service?
Yes, from a young age, but I had to wait many years before I was successful due to the volume of applicants.
A couple of my friends were in the fire service so I was able to dip into their knowledge. I knew the job would have great prospects and would be a rewarding career.

What sort of training did you do?
There were various tests involved, including making sure you could cope with confined spaces and were not afraid of heights.
And there was a manual dexterity test where you worked as a team to assemble a piece of equipment. My fitness also had to be good because I was tested on that.
I then spent 16 weeks on a residential training course.

What other fire stations have you worked at?
My first post was in Clydebank and I was then promoted to leading firefighter at Motherwell. From there, I was promoted to sub-officer at Springburn and then served at Kirkintilloch as a temporary station officer before moving to Cowcaddens.
Part of my role there was as an area support officer, which involved helping senior officers run the south Glasgow area.

What does being a station commander entail?
The position is a direct link between the community and the fire service. I will be working alongside our stakeholders and partner agencies, such as the police.
I'm here to make sure that the objectives of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue are met, to reduce fire deaths, and fire related incidents. I want to make sure that every household in the area has a fully functional smoke alarm.

How are you settling in?
It's going well and I know the area really well because I'm from Kirkintilloch.
As I'm new in post I'm finding my feet and I will be identifying myself with local councillors as well as the MSP and MP. I've also met with the Community Safety Partnership.

What do you enjoy about your job?
No two days are ever the same. One day you could be going to a
building on fire and the next you could be helping someone trapped in a lift. I like the variety of things and working as a team.

What has been the biggest incident you have attended?
I was at the Stockline factory blast in Maryhill in 2004, but it was in a strategic capacity, so I wasn't involved in the search and rescue.
I was there with the command unit and we were responsible for the logistics side of the incident, from making sure there were enough fire crews on the ground, informing outside agencies and the First Minister.
I was also at the fire at Rosebank Nursing Home, in Uddingston, and the gas explosion in Larkhall.
You do build up a mental picture in your head after attending incidents like these and you can't forget them, but you learn to deal with it.

Have you ever been frightened when attending an incident?
I haven't had a reason to because of my training and experience. It is a dangerous job and I've been in a few close shaves but we make sure that we have safe systems in place to do the job.

Do you plan to bring anything new to the station?
There's a Fire Reach initiative which targets young people from all walks of life. We invite them into the station for a week's work experience. It has been run successfully in Kirkintilloch and I'm keen to develop it here.
We will also be continuing with the open days by inviting the local public into the station

Do you have any hobbies away from work?
I'm a keen rock climber and hill walker. I have been climbing the Munro mountains for 15 years and have seven left to complete.

To arrange a free smoke alarm or a Home Fire Safety visit call freephone 0800 0731 999 or Bishopbriggs Fire Station on 0141 772 2223.

Getting to know you
First car: MK1 Escort
First record: This Old House by Shakin' Stevens
Book currently reading: Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane Favourite holiday destination: Isle of Skye
Famous person most like to meet: Sir Randolph Fiennes