The Scottish Government

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COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY

Prevention is the key to reducing the tragedies and hardships caused by fire. Stopping fires from starting requires the community and the fire service to work together to deliver safer communities. In this regard the Scottish Community Fire Safety Group (SCFSSG) was formed to co-ordinate and maximise the Community Fire Safety (CFS) activities of both the Scottish Executive and the individual fire brigades.

A central plank on which to build safer communities are community safety partnerships. With the support of the Scottish Executive, these are now well established throughout Scotland. In 1998 a joint Scottish Executive/CoSLA/ACPOS strategy was launched under the "Safer Communities Through Partnerships" banner. All Scottish local authorities and police forces currently participate in multi-agency activity designed to improve safety within their communities. While these partnerships were initially directed towards crime prevention, they are now viewed very much as part of the broader "community safety" agenda encompassing fire safety, health promotion, road safety, etc.

There are already a number of excellent examples of Scottish brigades working within their communities with other organisations particularly on matters of fire safety. For example, the Safe Highlander Project, which is a multi-agency approach which has demonstrated a more effective use of resources and a more effective delivery to the community. The fire service has a vital and important role to play in the community. Specifically by working in partnership with other public sector organisations in the areas of crime, health, education and housing, it can provide both consultative and joined-up service delivery.

Further information may be accessed through the following link:-

http:// www.scotland.gov.uk/about/JD/HMIFS/00015130/Fire_Safety.aspx