The Role of HM Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland
WHAT IS HMFSI?
HMFSI is independent of fire and rescue services, fire and rescue authorities and the Scottish Executive, and exists to inspect all fire and rescue services in Scotland to ascertain how they are discharging their functions under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 and meeting their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act, Equal Opportunities Act and other relevant legislation.
The Inspectorate's main responsibilities include;
- Obtaining information on the part of the Scottish Ministers about the manner in that fire and rescue authorities are performing their functions;
- Advising Ministers, the Fire and Civil Contingencies Division, fire and rescue authorities and fire and rescue services of professional and technical matters generally;
- Providing advice to other government departments, professional associations the Scottish Fire Service College, Audit Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive;
- Inspection of fire and rescue services and public reporting thereon;
- Annually reporting upon the fire and rescue service in Scotland;
- Attendance at public inquiries;
- Assessment of fire safety activities including encouragement of contributions to community fire safety;
- Developing of guidance and good practice for operational planning and training procedures;
- Helping to develop Performance Indicators for the fire and rescue service;
- Fire safety enforcement in Crown premises; and
- Management of internal Inspectorate resources.
In fact, HMFSI can enquire into any matter concerning the operation of a fire and rescue service. The main aims are to improve the quality and standard of the service provided by the fire and rescue service, and to ensure that the public gets the best value possible.