The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has closed its Dumfries control room with all emergency 999 calls going though Johnstone.
The move has been criticised by many including Dumfries and Galloway Council leader Ronnie Nicholson as Johnstone is about 85 miles from Dumfries.
Nicholson said : “They have been badly let down by their chiefs nationally who are intent on centralising as many jobs as possible.
“Once again Dumfries and Galloway is the forgotten region.”
SFRS said on their website they would like to thank staff at the Dumfries Control Room for engaging so positively and constructively with the process and for all their hard work over a number of years.
Similarly, they thanked staff at Johnstone Control and their IT staff who have worked to ensure that these changes are delivered seamlessly.
As well as Dumfries, sites in Aberdeen, Inverness, Fife and Falkirk were selected for closure while Johnstone, Edinburgh and Dundee remain open.