The Fire Brigades Union has called for the Scottish Government to convene immediate multi-agency talks to try to find a solution to fire safety concerns in schools and the home.
The union has raised its concerns about the proposal to improve school classroom ventilation by undercutting school classroom doors which, in turn, could compromise the fire safety of classrooms putting students, staff and firefighters in danger.
The union also wants clarity over the newly rolled out Scottish Government legislation on interlinked fire alarms in the home, which became law on 1st February.
Ian Sim, FBU Scotland Regional Secretary said: “The safety of school students and staff, our members and the general public is paramount.
“At the moment there is too much uncertainty and mixed messaging over these two very important fire safety issues, in particular, the potential fire risk that comes from undercutting doors. The doors affected could potentially include fire doors.
“We need clarity and certainty over these plans and the Scottish government must now convene immediate multi-agency talks to establish the safest way forward.”
Reducing the negative impact of fireworks and pyrotechnics on communities across Scotland is at the heart of new legislation. The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill proposes tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and the misuse of pyrotechnics.
The Bill follows the report of an independent Firework Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce the harm fireworks can cause.
An analysis of the public consultation, published in December 2021, showed strong support for key measures in the Bill amongst those who responded.
The Bill’s proposals include:
the introduction of a fireworks licensing system
a new power for local authorities to designate firework control zones, where it is not permitted for the public to use fireworks
restricting the days fireworks can be sold to and used by the general public
a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks and pyrotechnics to under-18s to ensure adults do not purchase such products on behalf of children
a new offence of being in possession of a pyrotechnic while at, or travelling to, certain places or events, without reasonable excuse
Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said: “This Bill will ensure appropriate action is taken over the sale and use of fireworks as well as reducing the misuse of pyrotechnic devices such as flares.
“We have undertaken a significant programme of engagement and evidence gathering which has demonstrated strong public support for tougher action.
“We have already moved quickly to introduce regulations restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public – as well as the times fireworks can be set off.
“This Bill demonstrates our absolute commitment to further improve safety for communities across Scotland.”
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Linda Jones of Partnership, Prevention and Community Wellbeing said: “Pyrotechnics in the wrong hands can be lethal. They are inherently dangerous and their ongoing misuse is a matter of serious concern to Police Scotland. This is not only due to the risks faced by those who may discharge them, but to those around them.
“There is no safe way to operate pyrotechnics unless you are properly trained – leave it to the experts at organised events.”
Director of Service Delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “It is clear the inappropriate use of fireworks and pyrotechnics such as flares can cause harm and serious injury as well as distress people, pets and the wider community.
“In some cases, fireworks have also been linked to anti-social behaviour which can put our crews and our partners at risk whilst drawing unnecessarily on our emergency service resources. We therefore welcome measures to help keep our communities, staff and partners safe.”
Clinical Research Fellow at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Canniesburn Department of Plastic Surgery Eleanor Robertson said: “We are delighted this Bill is being introduced.
“Firework safety campaigns raise awareness of the hazards and provide risk-reduction strategies, but pediatrics and adult patients continue to present with severe hand and eye injuries. We believe the proposed legislation will substantially reduce both direct and indirect harm from fireworks.”
Head of Education, Policy and Research at the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “We realise people still want to enjoy fireworks and we always ask that they do it responsibly.
“Misuse of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices can have a negative effect on people and animals across the country and we will always support the introduction of any preventative measures that will help keep Scotland’s people and animals safe.”
Five Scottish Ambulance Service staff members have been awarded for acts of bravery.
The Brave@Heart Awards celebrate acts of bravery in exceptional circumstances by blue-light services, voluntary rescue organisations and members of the public.
Last year’s winners for the Service were Scott Diamond, Willie Anderson, Caron Robertson, Amanda McClorey, and Neil Spiers. The staff were nominated by their colleagues and demonstrated bravery during their shift or outside their work hours.
Caron (top), originally from Prestwick, and Amanda (above), both of Stranraer Station, were rewarded for helping a patient who injured herself after falling on a rock at a beach. With no mobile signal, the patient’s son went to a nearby farmhouse to call for an ambulance. Caron, Technician, and Amanda, Paramedic, arrived on the scene.
Their award submission said: “They took control of the situation calmly with retrieval of the patient required over a steep cliff face. Both clambered down the cliff and helped get the patient up. The patient was transported by the RNLI to Port Patrick and then by Caron and Amanda to hospital.”
Willie (above), Technician, and Scott, Clinical Training Officer, were rewarded after they attended an explosion after initially getting called out to another incident while working at Glasgow West Station station.
Whilst on scene at the first incident, they were approached by a member of the public stating there had been an explosion in a nearby takeaway shop. They ran in and got the staff out of the takeaway shop, then there was a secondary explosion that started a fire. The pair then forced their way in and got more than 20 people out as the building started to fill with smoke.
The crew contacted ACC and requested the attendance of Police and Fire Service. Their award submission said: “It is clear that Scott and William acted above and beyond the normal call of duty, acted selflessly, to reduce the risks to the public and residents within the building.”
Neil, of Pencaitland, East Lothian, an MPDS Auditor, arrived early ahead of his shift to take some photographs of yachts and soon became aware of a woman shouting for help. She had fallen in to the freezing water and managed to crawl ashore.
Neil, who was a call handler at the time, acted quickly, calling for assistance and gave her his jacket to keep her warm until help arrived.
His award submission said: “Once the ambulance crew arrived, he returned to his shift for the day. During his shift, he received a call from a member of public who had found a male in the water. Neil gave clear CPR instructions to the bystanders until the ambulance crew arrived on this site as well. The patient was transported to hospital.”
Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Pauline Howie said: “The actions of these staff are truly commendable and they each showed extraordinary bravery. All our staff do amazing, life-saving work each day and this is a small sample.
“The staff are all wonderful ambassadors for the Scottish Ambulance Service and fully deserving of their awards.”
HM Coastguard was formally brought into existence on 15 January 1822 and has been working to keep people safe at the coast and sea ever since.
Last Saturday (15 January), coastguards across all four home nations cast throwlines as a symbol of the service’s dedication – past and present.
Throwlines, which form part of the lifesaving kit used by coastguard teams, were cast into the seas around Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “With 87 stations across Scotland, supported by nearly 800 volunteers, HM Coastguard plays a vital role in keeping people safe on our coastlines and at sea.
“On behalf of the UK Government and people of Scotland and around the UK, I’d like to pay tribute to the bravery of our coastguards and thank them for the many lives they save. Happy 200th birthday.”
Divisional Commander for Scotland, Susan Todd said: “As an emergency service HM Coastguard is always busy and it’s rare that we get the chance to reflect on how far we have come. 200 years of saving lives at sea and at the coast is truly something to be proud of.
“The symbolic casting of throwlines across the UK is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to keeping people safe at sea.”
Over the past two centuries, HM Coastguard has gone from strength to strength. In 2022, coastguard operations centres will coordinate responses to emergency situations at the coast calling on 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams – made up of 3500 dedicated volunteers – and using 10 search and rescue helicopter bases.
In Scotland there are 113 Coastguard Rescue Teams and 923 Coastguard Rescue Officers.
Last month HM Coastguard began to implement its new updated search and rescue radio network which uses fibre technology.
More than £175million has been invested to upgrade the Coastguard’s national radio network across all 165 sites over the next two years. This will improve and future-proof its communication infrastructure and ensure that it remains able to communicate and exchange data quickly and reliably in order to co-ordinate rescues and save lives.
The service continues to adapt to changes – in the last few years providing mutual aid and support during events and incidents to other emergency partners. During the pandemic, coastguards supported the NHS, attended the G7 and COP26 in 2021, and are called in to support during national emergencies including flooding or supplying water to stranded drivers.
The service is currently working hard to reduce its carbon footprint and is aiming to make its UK-wide fleet of vehicles electric wherever possible over the next five years.
Following trials, six electric vehicles have already been purchased, with 19 more currently being procured for use across the UK. Opportunities to electrify the fleet where operationally possible continue to be identified, with the trialling and integrating of electric models as they arrive on the market.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has opened a consultation on its Draft Gaelic Language Plan 2022 – 2025 to widen access and promote the Gaelic language across the organisation.
The consultation seeks the views of key stakeholders, communities and staff on the second draft of the Service’s Gaelic Language Plan which has been prepared in line with the Framework of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.
Liz Barnes, Director of People and Organisational Development is inviting people to take part and help influence the way the SFRS integrates Gaelic into its operations and working practices.
She said “Gaelic belongs to the whole of Scotland and we would like to develop the understanding and use of the language, its history and heritage.
“You can help shape the future of Gaelic in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“It’s easy to take part. Respondents are invited to answer a short survey and give their views on the Plan. Responses to the consultation will be used to shape our approach and inform the final Plan.”
The Service has a legal responsibility to have a plan and it wants to build on its existing plan to support the aim of increasing the use of the language by more people, in a wider range of situations.
The consultation will run for six weeks from 17 January to 27 February 2022 and can be accessed here:
Co-chomhairle air Plana Gàidhlig Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba
Tha Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba air co-chomhairle a thòiseachadh air an dreachd Phlana Ghàidhlig aice airson 2025 gus cur ri ruigsinneachd agus gus Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh air feadh na buidhne.
Tha a’ cho-chomhairle a’ sireadh bheachdan bho phrìomh luchd-ùidh, coimhearsnachdan agus luchd-obrach air an dàrna dreachd den phlana, a chaidh ullachadh a rèir Frèam Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005.
Tha Liz Barnes, Ceannard Daoine agus Leasachadh na Buidhne air cuireadh a thoirt do dhaoine pàirt a ghabhail ann agus gus buaidh a thoirt air an dòigh sam bith Seirbheis Smàlaidh is Teasairginn na h-Alba a’ filleadh Gàidhlig a-steach do na gnìomhan agus dòighean-obrach aice
Thuirt i “Buinidh a’ Ghàidhlig ri Alba air fad agus tha sinn airson cur ri tuigse agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig, agus ri tuigse air a h-eachdraidh is dualchas.
“Is urrainn dhut buaidh a thoirt air an àite a bhios aig Gàidhlig ann an Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba san àm ri teachd.
“Tha e furasta pàirt a ghabhail ann. Thathar ag iarraidh air luchd-freagairt suirbhidh goirid a fhreagairt agus na beachdan aca a thoirt seachad air a’ phlana. Thèid freagairtean dhan cho-chomhairle a chleachdadh gus cumadh a thoirt air an dòigh-obrach againn agus gus am plana mu dheireadh fhiosrachadh.”
Tha uallach laghail air an t-Seirbheis plana a bhith aice agus tha i airson togail air a’ phlana làithreach aice gus taic a chumail ri phrìomh amas Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig gum bi an cànan ga chleachdadh le barrachd dhaoine, ann an raon nas fharsainge de shuidheachaidhean.
Ruithidh a’ cho-chomhairle fad sia seachdainean bho 17mh Faoilleach gu 27th Gearran 2022. Gheibhear an suirbhidh an seo.
From its beginnings with coastal lookouts to today’s hi-tech national network of coordination centres, from small localised beginnings to international players – one thing has stayed the same for two centuries – Her Majesty’s Coastguard seeks to search, to rescue and to save …
Two hundred years of saving lives along the UK coast and at sea, as well as coordinating rescues for those in distress in international waters, is being marked this year as HM Coastguard celebrates its milestone anniversary.
It was on 15 January 1822, that HM Coastguard was formally brought into existence and has been working to keep people safe at the coast and sea ever since.
Today (15 January) in honour of that actual birthday, coastguards across all four home nations are casting throwlines as a symbol of the service’s dedication – past and present.
Throwlines, which form part of the lifesaving kit used by coastguard teams, will be cast into the seas around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at 11am, with each team operating under the latest COVID-19 guidance for the local areas.
21st century coastguard rescue team
Over the past two centuries, HM Coastguard has gone from strength to strength. In 2022, coastguard operations centres coordinate responses to emergency situations at the coast calling on 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams – made up of 3500 dedicated volunteers – and using 10 search and rescue helicopter bases.
Although the way in which we operate has changed beyond recognition in the last two centuries, HM Coastguard continues to look to the future. Innovation has always been a driver – whether it be pushing forward state of the art technology in the national network of maritime rescue coordination centres or leading the way in rope, water and mud techniques.
Last month (December) HM Coastguard began to implement its new updated search and rescue radio network which uses fibre technology.
More than £175million has been invested to upgrade the Coastguard’s national radio network across all 165 sites over the next two years. This will improve and future proof its communication infrastructure and ensure that it remains able to communicate and exchange data quickly and reliably in order to co-ordinate rescues and save lives.
HM Coastguard aviation: fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter and drone
The service continues to adapt to changes – in the last few years providing mutual aid and support during events and incidents to other emergency partners. During the pandemic, coastguards supported the NHS, attended the G7 and COP26 in 2021 and are called in to support during national emergencies including flooding or supplying water to stranded drivers.
HM Coastguard provides training to search and rescue authorities around the world and also shares knowledge on a mutual basis with others. A key player with the International Maritime Organization, HM Coastguard’s input and insight around the obligations of SOLAS (The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) is sought and valued.
The service is currently working hard to reduce its carbon footprint and is aiming to make its UK-wide fleet of vehicles electric wherever possible over the next five years.
Following trials, six electric vehicles have already been purchased, with 19 more currently being procured for use across the UK. Opportunities to electrify the fleet where operationally possible continue to be identified, with the trialling and integrating of electric models as they arrive on the market.
And with technology ever evolving, the service will continue to strive to be at the forefront of innovation to carry out its life-saving work.
Maritime Minister, Robert Courts said: “Congratulations HM Coastguard on their 200-year anniversary. I am immensely proud and humbled by the continued dedication and professionalism from the staff and volunteers which ensures everyone’s safety on our shores and around our coast.
“HM Coastguard is the backbone of our maritime sector and the nation is indebted to its incredible workforce which continues to deliver an exceptional service.”
Claire Hughes, Director of HM Coastguard said: “When you look at how we started and where we are now, it’s easy to celebrate the innovation and development that can be seen throughout the service.
“And yet, we are far more proud of the people, the volunteers and the staff who throughout two centuries have continued to strive to keep people safe at the coast and out at sea. We always have and always will respond to those in distress.”
“While this milestone is an opportunity for us to look back with pride on what we’ve achieved, we have always looked to the future, and I’m proud that we continue to look for ways in which to improve and save lives. I’m proud of the commitment, the dedication and selfless sacrifice and I’m proud of how the service has developed and continues to do so.”
A short history of HM Coastguard
Coastguard magic lantern 1890
17th/18th century
As soon as medieval taxes were charged on imports and exports, people begin smuggling. By 1743 the estimate is that half the tea drunk in Britain was illegally imported. Smuggling is highly profitable, making local people live in fear, with violent reprisals on informers and the murder of revenue officers, while corruption enables smugglers to evade harsh penalties.
1790s
Henry Greathead designs the first original lifeboat in South Shields. Twenty other locations place orders.
1808
A Captain Manby experiments with firing mortars to carry lines offshore to stricken ships. The “Elizabeth”, 150 yards out at sea sees the first life save due to this method. Cots hung below safety lines soon follow.
1809
The Board of Customs forms the Preventative Water Guard to fight smugglers and this small force uses boats to patrol every bay and cove.
1816
The guard is placed under the Treasury. At each station the chief officer and chief boatman are experienced naval seamen or fishermen. In bad weather they form a shore patrol. Although created to end smuggling, the Preventative Water Guard quickly acquires extra duties and are instructed to take responsibility of shipwrecks to safeguard cargoes and vessels from looters. They are also trained with lifesaving equipment.
1821
The Preventative Water Guard is recognised as a major force against smuggling and it is recommended that it is again controlled by the Board of Customs. In a minute dated 15 January 1822, the Treasury accept the proposal noting the new force will be called ‘Coast Guard’ which is, in effect, the birth certificate of HM Coastguard.
15th Jan 1822
The Coastguard was formed in 1822 by the amalgamation of three services set up to prevent smuggling:
Crews of up to nine were routinely being mobilised in two fire appliances to an average 28,479 false alarms each year – equating to around 57,000 unnecessary blue light journeys.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recently held a 12-week public consultation which provided communities and partners with three options to safely reduce these numbers.
The consultation identified that most stakeholders supported Option A which means that the SFRS will establish if Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) in workplaces have been triggered by an actual fire before sending any appliances.
This change, which will reduce attendance rates by up to 57 per cent, will come into effect in April 2023 and will bring Scotland into line with most other UK Fire and Rescue Services.
Hospitals, residential care homes and sleeping risk premises will remain exempt and appliances will continue to be mobilised automatically to any fire alarm activations within these facilities.
It is anticipated that 37,524 hours could now be released each year for firefighters to enhance their training – and carry out community safety work, including supporting the most vulnerable to stay safe from fires within the home.
SFRS Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “We are grateful to the public and our partners for sharing their views on our proposals.
“False alarms account for almost one third of fire and rescue activity across Scotland. They place a drain on front line services, increase risk to road users and cause interruption to the business sector and communities.
“The advantages of call challenging workplaces to reduce these callouts are clear,” said ACO Stevens.
“Making this change means we can carry out more training, community safety and fire prevention activity, as well as improving road safety and reducing our carbon impact.
“These unnecessary blue light journeys bring risks to our crews, other road users and pedestrians as well as impacting the environment with an estimated 575 tonnes of carbon emissions produced – the equivalent of heating 230 homes a year.
“Businesses will also experience less disruption as they no longer need to wait for us to attend to give the all clear after a false alarm.
“The legal responsibility for dealing with an AFA alert lies with the duty holder of a property and most UK fire and rescue services now seek confirmation of a fire before attending. Now the SFRS is making this change too.”
The Board paper, full consultation report and associated documents can be accessed online at:
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has launched its new, 10-year vision which deepens its pledge to improve the safety of Scotland’s communities.
In its new vision, the SFRS sets out its commitment to meeting the changing needs of communities, recognising the new and emerging challenges they face, including climate change, an aging population and the increased threat from terrorism.
The vision is underpinned by an undertaking to continue to work together with all public, third-sector and community partners for a safer Scotland and to keep a local focus on responding to the diverse needs of communities across the country.
Martin Blunden, Chief Officer of the SFRS, said: “We are a national service with national standards and practices but we absolutely recognise the need to find local solutions to local issues to effectively respond to community need.
“We want to be regarded as among the best fire and rescue services in the world, focused on meeting the shifting needs of our communities, working together to prevent and reduce the impacts of unintentional harm being at the heart of what we do.
“We believe that we will achieve this because we have a highly-skilled, experienced and talented workforce and we know we can offer more to help save lives and keep Scotland safe.”
Chief Officer Blunden added: “We created our vision in partnership through extensive engagement and consultation with our staff, our partners and the public, and we will continue to work together to achieve it. Working collaboratively – particularly with other emergency services – gives us all the best chance of meeting our ambitions.
“From early 2022, we’ll be setting out how we will achieve our vision through our next three-year strategic plan, and we will again be engaging with all stakeholders on this next step of our journey.”
Tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the misuse of pyrotechnics has been backed in a new consultation.
The public consultation, which attracted a total of 1,739 responses, asked for views on the Scottish Government’s Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill.
The proposed Bill follows the report of an independent Fireworks Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce the harm fireworks can cause.
The consultation, published today, shows that of those who responded on these individual issues:
92% agreed with the introduction of a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks to under-18s
84% backed the introduction of a fireworks licensing system
77% backed a new offence of being in possession of a pyrotechnic in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority
70% agreed with extending police powers to allow a stop and search provision in relation to pyrotechnics
more than 60% agreed with restrictions for the general public on the days fireworks can be sold and used
Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said: “The consultation builds on a significant programme of engagement and evidence gathering and demonstrated the range of views among those who responded.
“I am committed to making our communities safer and we have already moved quickly to introduce regulations restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public – as well as the times fireworks can be set off.
“We are intent on further improving safety for communities across Scotland by taking forward the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill at the earliest opportunity to ensure appropriate action is taken over the sale and use of fireworks and to reduce the misuse of pyrotechnic devices such as flares.”
Over the twenty-four-hour period from 7am on Friday, November 26, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received more than 900 emergency calls – almost three times the normal number – with more than 500 of these being due to the impact of the severe weather associated with Storm Arwen affecting many areas of the country.
During this same period of time, firefighters were mobilised to more than 500 incidents, many of which were related to high winds, with areas in the North and East of Scotland being worst affected.
Between 3pm and midnight on Friday, November 26 the Service’s Operations Control rooms in Dundee and Edinburgh received more than 500 weather related emergency calls, which included calls for assistance to make damaged buildings safe and road traffic collisions.
The impact of the weather was also felt by the Service, with damage to the roof of Altens Community Fire Station in Aberdeen.
On duty firefighters and appliances were deployed to neighbouring stations to ensure fire cover for the area was maintained. In addition, a fire appliance from Galashiels in the Borders was struck by falling trees during the storm while attending an incident and the firefighters were removed to safety with no injuries recorded.
John Dickie is an Assistant Chief Officer in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He said: “This has been an exceptional weather event and a challenging night where we received a high number of weather related calls.
“We have seen high numbers of emergency calls from the Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Fife, East Lothian and Scottish Borders areas where many buildings were damaged by the high winds – resulting in a significant localised response.
“Firefighters also attended a number of other incidents including road traffic collisions and fires.
“My thanks must go to our firefighters and Operations Control staff for their outstanding work overnight in very challenging conditions, and to our partners for their continued assistance.”
