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SECTION 2 - THE VISION
21. The biggest change for the fire service in Scotland in recent years has been devolution. Under The Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Parliament has legislative competence for all fire service matters in which central government has a locus. Although the Scottish Fire Service has a different funding mechanism from England and Wales; a separate Inspectorate; and a separate albeit linked Advisory Council: service delivery and common working practices remain alike shaped as they are through EU- and UK-wide legislation and a National Joint Council (NJC) which deals with conditions of service. For that reason there will continue to be a close relationship on fire matters north and south of the border. However, the Scottish Executive has identified a number of key issues for the development of a distinctive Scottish Fire Service and these are set out in the sections which follow.
22. In its programme for Government, entitled Working together for Scotland, the Scottish Executive set out the clear objective of a Scotland where people are safer and feel safer. Its aims are:
- to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Fire Service and to help make communities safer from fire; and
- to promote quality of service and value for money and improve fire safety awareness.
23. The long-established and accepted aim of the fire service was " To save lives and property from fire and render humanitarian services." The term "humanitarian" covered the common public perception of rescuing pets and animals through to the rescue of persons trapped in vehicles following road traffic accidents. But to reflect the significantly changing operating context it is suggested that the modern-day fire service now needs a new aim. It is suggested that this could be as follows.
"A Scottish Fire Service which makes its full contribution to building a safer society by working with others to reduce death and injury, damage to property and the environment, from fire and other emergencies."
We believe that this will be achieved by adopting the following objectives of an organisation, which:
- Works with local communities to reduce risks to life, property and the environment from fire and other emergencies.
- Assists promptly and effectively when fire and other emergencies occur.
- Has a well-equipped, skilful and highly-motivated workforce, able to work safely and whose composition reflects the diverse communities it serves.
- Continuously improves its performance in order to deliver Best Value.
24. The fire service aim and objectives sit alongside the Modernising Agenda bringing together central and local government in integrated action across the public sector in Scotland. The Executive recognises that to achieve this vision we will require comprehensive new legislation which would encompass the role of the fire service as outlined in this paper and including Fire Safety.
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