Role and Functions
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit (SFRAU) was set up in February 2008 to replace the Fire Service Inspectorate. The change was part of the Scottish Government reform of external scrutiny arrangements of public bodies, to remove duplication of audit processes while ensuring that independent professional advice continues to be available to Government and those running Scotland's eight Fire and Rescue Services.
The Head of the Advisory Unit provides independant advice to Ministers and Scottish Government officials on fire and rescue related matters and on the operational preparedness of the Fire and Rescue Service within Scotland.
The role of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit includes:
- Advising Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Government Fire and Rescue Service and Resilience Divisions and other government departments, Fire and Rescue Authorities/Joint Fire and Rescue Boards and Fire and Rescue Services on professional and technical matters.
- Providing professional support to Chief Fire Officers and, where necessary, challenging them on professional issues relating to the provision and operation of their Fire and Rescue Service.
- Helping the Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland assess their operational preparedness and take an overview on the application of Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP).
- Keeping under review the way in which Scottish Fire and Rescue Services are implementing the Civil Contingencies Act in partnership with other agencies.
- Developing technical guidance and good practice in respect of Fire and Rescue Service functions such as operational planning, training, human resources and fire safety activities. This function is carried out through the auspices of the Scottish Operational Guidance Board.
The Head of the Advisory Unit also holds the appointment of Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities as specified in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. This is to enable the Chief Inspector to continue to carry out functions under that Act such as enforcing fire safety legislation in Crown premises and determining disputes between dutyholders and enforcing authorities regarding compliance with fire safety legislation (except in cases where the Chief Inspector is the enforcing authority).