Scottish Government

INTRODUCTION

ANNUAL REPORT OF JEFF ORD CBE, OStJ, QFSM, GIFireE, JP

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland

To: Cathy Jamieson
Minister for Justice

Madam

I have the honour to present my Annual Report upon the 8 fire services in Scotland for the financial year 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.

Introductory Remarks

1. During this reporting period Fire Services have experienced a more stable environment than the previous 2 years when the National Dispute regarding pay and modernisation issues dominated the agenda. I am pleased to report that, whilst the major changes which are taking place within the Service are producing their own uncertainties, the general climate is reasonably positive and the progress of the modernisation agenda is being conducted at a sensible, yet productive, rate.

2. Once again, the Scottish Executive has continued to modernise the infrastructure and legislation on which the Service depends. In particular the following building blocks were laid during the reporting period;

The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005

The Act should receive Royal Assent when released to Parliament on 23 April 2005. This Act replaces the 1947 Fire Services Act and in so doing has recognised the enhanced role that Fire Services now provide. Additional Fire Safety responsibilities, prevention of incidents and the extended rescue role of the Service are 3 such areas. This is most welcome and will assist greatly in improving the safety of our communities.

The Removal of the Recommended Standards of Fire Cover

These recommended standards were the main footprint of how Fire Services were traditionally provided, with the emphasis being upon a property based dispersal of resources rather than life risk based. The new risk based approach will allow individual Fire Authorities to tailor the service they provide to best reduce the local risk and, ultimately, to deploy the emergency response as appropriate to the identified risk.

The Removal of the Fire Service Appointment and Promotion Regulations

These regulations, whilst having some positive aspects, were restrictive in terms of improving diversity in the Service and allowing multi-tier entry. The Service is already witnessing an increase in the diversity of middle and senior management posts and, once the agreed national point of entry standards have been introduced (autumn 2005), this should assist improved diversity across all areas whist still maintaining the highest levels of service delivery.

3. This reporting period has also seen an extensive consultation exercise undertaken by the Scottish Executive on some remaining modernisation areas of service provision. In particular, Ministers are expected to announce their decisions on the following areas during 2005;

The Replacement Sructure for the Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council

Stakeholders involved with this advisory council agreed that it no longer served the needs of a rapidly changing Service.

The National Framework document

This document will be the first such paper produced by the Scottish Executive for the Fire Service and forms the basis of a contract between the Executive and the Fire Authorities in terms of service delivery expectations and resource provision.

The Future of Fire Service Control Rooms in Scotland

Following further consideration of evidence and consultation, Ministers are expected to announce their decision during 2005.

4. The review of procurement arrangements highlighted in last year's annual report has now been superceded by the draft National Framework Document and the move towards greater collaboration across Fire Authorities and other appropriate partners. This developing area will also be considered along with other initiatives at the United Kingdom level.

5. As previously mentioned, the Recommended Standards of Fire Cover were removed in favour of Integrated Risk Management Planning ( IRMP) at the end of March 2005. A statutory duty is placed upon all Fire Authorities to implement IRMP as from April 2005 in accordance with guidance and time tables directed by the Scottish Executive. I am pleased to report that, in general, all authorities are on course to meet the various milestones as directed in the guidance.

6. In closing, there are many reasons to be positive, regarding the future for the Service and positive, regarding further improvements in the safety of our communities. Of course there are many challenges ahead and the extent and degree of change that the Service is now facing, which is the first major change programme in almost 60 years, creates an inevitable fear of change. However, this agenda for change is irresistible and will result in more people whom we manage to assist in avoiding fires and other tragedies. It will result in more people joining the Service from diverse cultures and backgrounds than ever before and it will result in placing Fire Services and their staff even closer to the communities they serve as an integral part of community planning, well being and best value.

JEFF ORD
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services

FIREMASTERS AND FIRE AUTHORITIES

Firemasters and Fire Authorities

7. During the reporting period the following Firemasters were in post:

8. I wish to record my thanks to Firemasters and their staff for the co-operation and assistance given to members of the Fire Service Inspectorate during their visits and for the valuable contributions to the many discussions held throughout the year.

Honours and Awards

9. The following persons received awards in the Queen's Honours Lists in the year under review:

Birthday Honours 2004

QFSM Robert Coke. Assistant Firemaster, Strathclyde Fire Service (Retired)

New Year Honours 2005

OBE John Williams. Firemaster, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service
Gordon Cook. Retired Station Officer, Highland and Island Fire Service

MBE Fraser MacKenzie. Volunteer Leader, Strathclyde Fire Service
Daniel O'Donnell. Deputy Firemaster, Fife Fire Service
Steven Torrie. Deputy Firemaster, Lothian and Borders Fire Service

QFSM Brian Sweeney. Firemaster, Strathclyde Fire Service

Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

10. The Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was awarded to 207 members of the Scottish Fire Service between April 2004 and 31 March 2005.

11. I offer my sincere congratulations to all those whose work within the Scottish Fire Service has been so justly recognised.

Safe Drive, Stay Alive Roadshow: Fife Fire Service (Nov 2004)