In 1975, with the reorganisation of local government, the service became the Northern Fire Brigade and gained the Western Isles as part of its area.

As well as the name change, for the first time in the service's history, a Gaelic motto, dìon is freagair, or "protect and respond", was sanctioned.

The Chief Fire Officer before amalgamation was Stewart James Edgar QFSM MBA Chartered FCIPD Cmgr FCMI MIoD FIFireE.

This replaced the previous system of eight regional fire and rescue services across Scotland which existed since 1975.

These offices were located in Inverness, Aviemore, Fort William, Invergordon, Ullapool, Dornoch, Portree, Thurso, Stornoway, Benbecula, Kirkwall, and Lerwick.