This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
The changing face of the fire service
29/04/2002
A Policy Paper that recognises the changing face of the
fire service for the first time in over 50 years is
launched today.
Dynamic, flexible and community conscious' was how
Justice Minister Jim Wallace described the modern fire
fighter at the launch of 'The Scottish Fire Service of the
Future' at Gullane Training School.
The Policy Paper heralds a major change in the Fire
Service's approach. It recognises that in dealing with road
accidents, severe weather incidents and other non-related
fire incidents, the fire service has already expanded its
traditional role. It also places a renewed emphasis on
prevention through work with business and community.
The paper, recommending the first substantial policy
changes since 1947, covers all aspects of the modern fire
service including recommendations on:
Prevention
- Working with local authorities, the police and
others in Community safety partnerships to promote fire
safety, good health and road safety.
- Enforcing fire safety through ensuring that
workplace risks are minimal and are enforced by
employers.
- Strengthening the powers of the fire service in
areas of fire investigation and recommendations on the
best way to deal with arson.
- Managing fire risk management in the community by
analysing accurate and up-to-date information.
Working in partnership with the community
- Working with young people through the fire cadet
scheme.
- Working with the private sector on fire safety
issues.
- Opening up the fire stations to act as the focal
point of communities and engaging in a wide range of
community activities.
The changing role of the fire service
- Dealing with road traffic accidents, severe weather
incidents and other non fire related incidents
- New technology and training
Mr Wallace said:
"I believe there has never been a better time as we
enter the 21
st century to recognise the vital and ever
changing role of our fire service.
"The role of the fire-fighter has undergone immense
change in the last 50 years. Fire-fighters now attend more
road accidents, severe weather incidents and non
fire-related calls than ever before. This is why it is
vital we recognise this change to ensure we can continue to
provide them with the best training, equipment and skills
to save lives.
"September 11
th shocked us all. It also forced us to
re-examine our capability for dealing with major
emergencies on a scale that had previously been
unimaginable and we have since announced Scotland's Fire
Service will receive an extra £5 million to improve their
equipment.
"Working in partnership with the other emergency
services, business, and the local community is vital in
getting across the message of fire safety in trying to
prevent fires starting in the first place. We also want to
ensure that if fires do happen then people can be alerted
and escape.
"Relationships with young people has become of serious
concern to the fire service with growing incidents of
attacks and fire raising. This again emphasises how vital
it is that fire-fighters engage with the community, build
relationships and help young people recognise their
abilities through such ideas as the Fire Cadet Scheme. The
issue of fire raising will be addressed in a separate
report to be issued shortly by Her Majesty's Inspectorate
of Fire Services.
"This paper finally recognises the professionalism of
the fire service and the specialist skills they are often
called upon to use. It also notes that while saving lives
will always be the main focus of the fire service they also
play a large part in preventing fires through education and
working with the community.
"There is no doubt that we need to recognise the
valuable service that the fire service bring to our
communities through both saving lives and fire prevention.
However along with this we must make changes to ensure they
are able to cope with the ever growing and changing demands
they face."
"The fire service has always been a dynamic service
changing to meet the public's needs. We intend to build on
the many good ideas that already exist to ensure that it
remains a first class and modern organisation."
There will be a three month consultation period on the
paper and a number of the recommendations will be delivered
through the introduction of a Scottish Fire Services
Bill.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Fire Services in Scotland
published a report in April last year which showed
that:
- fire caused 111 deaths in Scotland during
99-00
- almost half of all deaths in the home were a result
of alcohol.
- malicious calls over the same period increased by
3.6 percent.