The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled the findings of a major consultation on its ground-breaking proposals to protect Scotland from new and emerging risks.
The ‘Your Service, Your Voice’ consultation called for views on proposals that would see the role of firefighters change and expand to do more for communities.
And the 1,563 responses from members of the public, SFRS staff and stakeholders is now available to view on the SFRS website, following independent analysis from the University of Edinburgh.
The responses showed overall support for the vision for transformation.
This included overwhelming support for proposals such as the use of latest technologies and improved pay for firefighters to respond to new risks as part of an expanded role.
The responses also set out the need for further information and assurance around training and operational capacity, as well as future role definition and delivery model.
Dr Kirsty Darwent is the Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Board. She said: “We are fully committed to ensuring our people, communities, partners and stakeholders are given a clear voice in shaping our future.
“It comes as no surprise to us that we are seeing overwhelming support in some areas while there is a need for further discussion in others.
“We are already working on an action plan to directly address these very areas, as it is vital that we are able to show how we will deliver a transformed Service.
“We have sought this conversation and we embrace the need for further discussion – we want you to continue to have a strong voice in shaping the right solutions.”
She added: “There is no doubt, transforming to take on a broader role will allow our Service to better meet the changing risks we now face. However, we will not lose sight of our core role as the providers of the national fire and rescue service.
“We also welcome the Scottish Government’s ongoing support for our proposals, and their confirmation of over £5m additional funding in the 2019/20 draft budget – funding that will support our continued work towards transformation.
“Transformation remains the right thing to do … not only for the future of the Service – but for the people of Scotland.”
To view, visit: /transformation/public-consultation.aspx
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