Who We Spoke To
155. The starting point for this Inquiry was the Determination made by Sheriff Leslie. I was able to benefit from a set of transcripts of the evidence heard by the Sheriff.
156. My intention was to speak to as many of those who participated in the Sheriff's Fatal Accident Inquiry as possible. To that group, I added the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue personnel who attended on the night (and who I met collectively at Newmilns and Easterhouse fire stations), Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Control Room leads and two serving Directors from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.
157. I also declared a general intention to take submissions from any person or body who wished to contribute. I received a number of submissions, including some from private individuals.
158. By its nature, an Inquiry held under Section 44 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 cannot compel any person or body to participate. I am therefore grateful to those people and organisations who were prepared to speak to the Inquiry team or who offered a submission. Where an individual did not participate, I was able to compensate by making reference to the Fatal Accident Inquiry transcripts.
159. I am grateful to Professor Rhona Flin, University of Aberdeen, for the insights into operational command decision making she gave me and to Elizabeth Morton and her colleagues from East Ayrshire Council for discussions around multi-agency emergency planning and response.
160. I am also grateful to Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for their openness in relation to the Inquiry.