This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Fire Services Bill
28/05/2003
FIRE SERVICES (Scotland) BILL
The Bill will deliver modern legislation for a modern
Fire Service updating the current legislation which dates
back to 1947.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Fire Authorities and Fire Brigades will be given a
statutory responsibility for and place greater emphasis
on fire prevention and community safety work. This will
provide greater impetus in efforts to protect the
public from fire and to reduce Scotland's appalling
record of fire fatalities.
- It will enhance the Fire Service's role in fire
investigation work.
- It will reduce the burden on businesses by
reforming the current fragmented workplace fire
precautions legislation whilst at the same time
improving the protection of those at work.
Timescale
The Scottish public policy paper,
The Scottish Fire Service of the Future was launched
on April 30, 2002. The policy paper was debated in the
Scottish Parliament on May 15, 2002. It was made it clear
during the debate that it was the Executive's intention to
deliver a number of recommendations in the policy through
the introduction of new legislation for the Fire Service. A
consultation paper is to be published in the late
summer/autumn with the prospect of legislation being
introduced at the end of 2003-04.