The 34-year-old self-employed builder was in Queenstown to compete in the United Fire Brigades Association's national waterways competition and had stayed on with eight others, Northland Fire Regional Commander Trevor Andrews said.
One of the men who witnessed the glider crash was his employee, and his pregnant wife was in Queenstown at the time.
Also killed when the tandem hang-glider, on a commercial flight, crashed was the pilot, Gerado Bean (27), of Argentina. He was employed by Skytrek Tandem Hang Gliding.
Mr Andrews described the brigade as "totally devastated" by the incident. However, the members were a "resilient lot" who had gained strength and would be able to carry on and assist Mr Scotland's wife and 3-year-old son through a difficult time.
The Waipu man "took life by the throat" and enjoyed challenging himself, which led him to compete in the waterways competition and try hang-gliding.
His 10-year contribution to firefighting was something to be proud of, Mr Andrews said.
"People of his ability, experience and calibre are hard to come by."
For a fireman to be lost in such a tragic way was a "double tragedy".
He was a fine example of someone who contributed to his community and would be sorely missed, he said.
Mr Andrews was in Queenstown yesterday attending the association's national conference and briefed about 300 people on the incident. He also briefed the Waipu brigade.
A "wonderful support structure" and comradeship would help them get through, he said.
