The Scottish Government

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INTRODUCTION

1 This is the second Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland. The first, published in 2005, as a requirement of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, set out the strategic priorities, objectives and guidance for Fire and Rescue Authorities. Much has changed since then. Most significantly, a new partnership approach has developed between local and national government, the principles of which are now described in the concordat ¹ between Scottish Ministers and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities ( COSLA) which this Framework supports. Together with the National Performance Framework ², this new Fire Framework helps to bring into focus the major challenges facing Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services.

2. The concordat offers a renewed opportunity for national and local Government to work together in the development of Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services (the SFRS) and enables them to continue to adopt a broader focus when considering their wider community partnership contribution. This revised Framework is focused on supporting this new partnership approach. However, our approach must not be at the expense of weakening the SFRS core responsibilities to the public. The key priorities for the SFRS remain the same - reducing the number of fire-related deaths and injuries, including those of firefighters in the course of their duties; reducing the economic effects of fire, including the number of accidental dwelling house fires; reducing the number of malicious calls received; and reducing death and injuries caused by road traffic collisions.

While Scottish Ministers are required by statute to set out their expectations for the SFRS, this Framework and the wider concordat approach also recognise that Fire and Rescue Authorities are, quite rightly, accountable to their communities for the provision of the service locally. Effective Community Planning Partnerships will therefore be key to the delivery of successful outcomes, and there are a number of areas in which we can contribute collectively. The key objectives outlined in this document are:

• The need to examine the efficient use of resources within the context of Best Value
• The need to seek continuous improvement, while balancing quality and cost considerations
• The need to develop a joint approach to shared services
• The continuing need to support the "up-skilling" of the workforce
• The need for a longer-term approach to capital funding
• The need for a refreshed approach to performance measurement, public reporting and self assessment.

4. This new approach to agreeing what matters most in delivering those services is driven by a desire to ensure our communities are safer and stronger. Key to achieving this outcome is the mutual respect and trust which already exists between the concordat partners and which has been further enhanced by the consultative approach Scottish Ministers have taken to the development of this Framework.

5. The SFRS are local services, locally delivered to meet local needs. They also play an integral part in securing our national resilience. In doing so, they make an important and significant contribution to Scotland's economic and social objectives, both nationally and locally. This framework is intended to strengthen this vision for the SFRS, and helpfully defines the roles and responsibilities of all those responsible for delivering Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services.

6. In summary, this revised Framework:

• Recognises the wide range of views held by those involved in managing and delivering Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services and supports the partnership approach which underpins ongoing and future success.
• Offers a shared perspective on the key challenges facing the SFRS.
• Outlines joint outcomes which will assist Fire and Rescue Authorities ( FRAs) and their Community Partners in planning and delivering successful services to their communities.
• Provides clarity over the roles and responsibilities of all those responsible for delivering Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services.
• Describes how the work of the SFRS contributes to the wider overriding purpose of the Scottish Government, to "focus our resources on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing economic sustainable growth".

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