Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is the name which will be given to the future fire and rescue service of Scotland, which aims to go live on April 1 2013[1].
After a consultation[2], the Scottish Government confirmed on September 8 2011[3] that a single fire and rescue service would be created in Scotland to replace the current eight services and the Scottish Fire Services College, currently part of the Scottish Government.
After a further consultation[4] on the detailed operation of the service, the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill was published on January 17 2012[5]. After scrutiny and debate by the Scottish Parliament, the legislation was approved on June 27 2012[6]. It is expected to receive Royal Assent in August.
The Scottish Government said[7] reform will safeguard frontline fire and rescue services in our communities by creating designated local senior officers for every council area with a statutory duty to work with councils to shape local services.
Establishing a single service will also ensure more equal access to national and specialist services and expertise such as flood rescue, whenever and wherever they are needed. Key provisions of the legislation include:
- Regular, formal opportunities for the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise fire and rescue services.
- Establishing a Chair and Members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board to hold the Chief Officer to account.
- Transferring the current functions of fire and rescue authorities to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Staff employed by the current eight fire and rescue authorities will transfer to the new service.
- A statutory duty for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to provide adequate local services.
- A designated local senior fire officer for each local authority area, responsible for involving the local authority in determining priorities and objectives for fire and rescue services in the local area.
- A local plan for fire and rescue services for each local authority area, agreed between the relevant local senior officer and the local authority, setting out priorities, objectives and arrangements for local service delivery.
- A revised Inspectorate of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The recruitment process for the Chair and Members of the SFRS is now underway. Applications for the post of Chief Officer opened on June 1 and closed on July 1 2012[8].
Impact
The plans will see the following services merged into one Scottish Fire and Rescue Service:
- Central Scotland Fire & Rescue Service
- Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service
- Fife Fire and Rescue Service
- Grampian Fire and Rescue Service
- Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue
- Lothian and Borders Fire
- Strathclyde Fire & Rescue
- Tayside Fire and Rescue
The Scottish Fire and Rescuer Service will also incorporate the Scottish Fire Services College, currently part of the Scottish Government.
See also
References
- ^ Scottish Government news release February 21 2012 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/02/policeandfireheadquarters
- ^ Research report on consultation September 15 2011 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/09/15110325/0
- ^ Scottish Government news release September 8 2011 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/09/08142643
- ^ Research report on consultation December 16 2011 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/12/15130636/0
- ^ Scottish Government news release January 17 2012 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/01/Police-Fire17012012
- ^ Scottish Government news release June 27 2012 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/06/policeandfirereformstage327062012
- ^ Scottish Government news release June 27 2012 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/06/policeandfirereformstage327062012
- ^ Scottish Government news release June 1 2012 - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/06/fire01062012