A PLAQUE has been unveiled to commemorate the death of a former Alloa firefighter who died on his way to a call out.

John Noble and his fellow crew members were en route to a call out at Strathdevon Primary School on January 23, 2008, when the appliance careered off the road on the A91 before colliding with a tree.

The husband and father-of-two sadly passed away with four others injured, one seriously.

Tragically, it transpired that the call out had been a false alarm.

A lasting memorial, in the form of a Red Plaque, has now been installed at the school in Dollar in tribute to the much-loved Wee County man.

It was unveiled by John’s wife Lorraine eleven years to the day since his passing.

The Red Plaque scheme is run by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and honours firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Alan Faulds, current watch manager at Alloa Fire Station and close friend of John's, was at the unveiling ceremony and said it was a fitting tribute to a great man.

He told the Advertiser: “It went fantastic. There was great support from everyone, including the school, fire service and the union.”

Ordinarily, the plaques are put exactly where the death took place, but with there being nowhere on the bend to place it, the decision was taken to place it at the school by John’s wife.

Alan added: “It is a fitting location because it means the whole community can see that a firefighter died in the line of duty.

“People probably assume he died in a fire so it’s good for them to see that he, in fact, died when he was on his way.

“It’s important for the school and the children to see that the emergency service personnel have dangerous jobs and that people can die when they are working.”

Davie Dawson, also a watch commander at Alloa, organised the memorial alongside the FBU and said John’s wife played an important part.

He said: “The union like the plaque to be where the firefighter fell but it could not so it was John’s wife who suggested that it be at the school. Everything went fine on the day.”

Local Senior Officer for Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife Roddie Keith said: “The plaque is a fitting tribute to commemorate John and the tragedy of his death in the line of duty.

"John was a valued officer and highly respected throughout the fire and rescue service.

“Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and colleagues on this anniversary."

Denise Christie, regional secretary of the FBU in Scotland, added: “John’s death was a tragedy that every firefighter felt.

"The Red Plaque scheme is a fitting tribute to the ultimate sacrifice John paid in the line of duty.

“We are honoured to have John remembered in this way and our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and colleagues on this anniversary.”

Alloa Fire Station also hosts a number of tributes to John.

At the front of the building, there is a plaque which reads: "Alloa Fire Station is dedicated to the memory of Watch Manager John Campbell Noble."

There is a further plaque inside "in loving memory" of John, along with a Johnny's Garden out the back, which features a bench to the late fireman and a stunning stone memorial statue.