Fire service consultation

PEOPLE are being asked to share their views on the future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as part of a public consultation. The primary aim is to ensure that service (SFRS) resources – including staff, stations and appliances – are matched to operational risk and demand across Scotland. Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “We have an opportunity for the first time since our national service was formed in 2013 to review how we provide our emergency service every minute of the day, every day of the year. “Building a modern fire and rescue service that is fit for purpose is the reason we are bringing these proposed changes forward. "We have a duty to ensure that the right resources are in the right locations to meet new risks that exist within today’s communities. “We also need to spend public money wisely. We have a backlog of repairs in our buildings, fleet and equipment that would cost more than £800 million to address and this just isn’t an option available to our service. Therefore, along with the need for sustained investment we need to consider how we operate and reduce running costs for assets that are not serving our staff or communities. “We must also be able to adapt to meet current and future risks, such as those posed by extreme weather events or wildfires.” CO Stevens said the options have been developed over many months involving staff, trade union representatives and other stakeholders. The public consultation goes on for 12 weeks and can be accessed via firescotland.gov.uk