119. This paper sets out a number of key recommendations designed to both support the Scottish Fire Service and ensure that the Scottish Fire Service can meet the Vision set out in Section 2. The recommendations are:
1. The Executive recommends that Community Fire Safety work be placed on an equal footing with existing statutory duties for brigades and authorities. (Paras 25-26)
2. The Executive recommends that all fire brigades participate in their local Community Safety Partnerships to advance the multi-agency approach to community safety. The involvement of CACFOA on the national forum will also give the fire service a voice in influencing the agenda. (Paras 27-29)
3. The Executive recommends that the fire service should have closer involvement with young people, to enable them to realise their potential, with the aim of promoting responsible citizenship. The Executive will examine the possibility of channelling funds through the Community Fire Safety arena to brigades for worthwhile schemes. (Para 30)
4. The Executive recommends the development of partnership schemes with the private sector and recommends that brigades work to identify partnership opportunities. (Paras 31-32)
5. The Executive recommends that the enforcement role of the fire service be placed on an equal footing with existing statutory responsibilities for firefighting, by ensuring that the required statutory provisions are introduced through legislative change. (Para 33)
6. The emerging recommendations of the Wilful Fire-Raising thematic inspection will be considered by the Executive, particularly in relation to any legislative changes identified. (Para 34)
7. The Executive recommends that the merits of domestic sprinklers are kept under consideration in the light of current research. (Para 35)
8. The Executive recommends that Fire Authorities open up fire service facilities for wider use by the community. (Paras 36-37)
9. The Executive recommends a public awareness campaign on the risk management approach to intervention once the Pathfinder trials have concluded. (Paras 42-46)
10. The Executive recommends that the Fire Services Act be amended to reflect changes arising from the risk management approach. (Para 47)
11. The emerging recommendations of the thematic inspection on rural and retained firefighters will be considered by the Executive, particularly in relation to the need to introduce any legislative changes. (Para 48)
12. The Executive recommends that views be sought from stakeholders and the wider community on what the fire service should be doing in the area of "special services" and, if required, the Executive will ensure that the appropriate legislative changes are made. (Paras 49-51)
13. The Executive is disappointed that there is not more women and people from ethnic backgrounds attracted to a career in the fire service. It will look to the Fairness and Diversity Forum for initiatives and ideas to address this situation. (Paras 59-60)
14. The Executive recommends that all fire service personnel are developed in a way that will enable them to meet the challenges of delivering a balanced prevention and intervention agenda and improved public standards. (Paras 67-68)
15. The Executive recommends the development of a strategic approach to delivery of fire service training. This is being achieved through the establishment of a new Central Training Advisory Committee and the appointment of a new Director of Training who will:
- Consult with key stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for the organisation and development of fire service training in Scotland. This plan will meet the identified competencies, skills and professional requirements of uniformed staff.
- Lead, represent and participate in agreed working forums to develop and improve training.
- Seek to achieve through collaboration, advice and joint working Best Value in all matters related to fire service training.
- Develop and co-ordinate generic training publications and guidance.
- Support the successful implementation of key recommendations. (Paras 69-77)
16. The Executive recommends that the fire service be included within the proposed Best Value statutory duty to be contained within new local government legislation. (Paras 78-81)
17. The recommendations and guidance of the Purchasing Arrangements Working Group will be considered by the Executive who will ensure that all necessary work is taken forward in order to implement a more cost- effective and efficient procurement strategy. (Paras 82-84)
18. The Executive recommends brigades exploit collaborative project working in order to realise tangible savings and increases in efficiency. (Para 85)
19. The potential for developing control room facilities, specifically in a Scottish context, should be further explored and evaluated. The Executive will appoint consultants to examine this issue and provide a clear set of recommendations in order to increase service collaboration. (Paras 86-88)
20. The Executive will appoint consultants to examine the cost of IT to brigades and evaluate the cost benefits of a shared MIS and the scope for collaboration and rationalisation in order to reduce bureaucracy and achieve Best Value. (Paras 89-94)
21. The Executive recommends a comprehensive review of all of the options in respect of radio communications. Funding will be provided for this review process and the Executive will then consider any future procurement strategy accordingly. (Para 95)
22. The Executive recommends the exploration of collaboration opportunities in the provision of "special services". This will be achieved through the appointment of consultants to report on the feasibility and cost benefits of co-ordinated "special services" across the eight Scottish brigades to achieve increases in the effectiveness of these services. (Paras 96-97)
23. The Executive recommends that a framework for support functions with benchmarked evaluation is introduced and this information is available on the Scottish Executive website for public scrutiny. (Paras 98-99)
24. The Executive recommends the commencement of discussions with stakeholders about the formation of a common Fire Service Agency with the aim of assisting brigades in meeting common service needs. (Paras 100-102)
25. The Executive recommends the appointment of consultants to report on the feasibility and cost benefits of shared functions across all eight brigades with a view to developing common services as a means of delivering economies of scale. (Para 103)
26. The Executive will appoint consultants to evaluate the suitability of implementing the PFI model as a means of reducing public expenditure. (Para 111)
27. The Executive recommends views be sought about the more streamlined working structure and national framework. (Paras 112-114)
28. The Executive recommends the further development of Best Value for the fire service with clearly defined targets, performance indicators, monitoring and guidance. Existing best practice will be reviewed and implemented where appropriate. (Paras 115-118)
120. Your views are sought on the recommendations as set out above.
121. In paragraph 13 the need for legislative change has been discussed. We would welcome specific or general suggestions about those areas which require reform or a new statutory basis.