All homes will have the highest level of protection from smoke and fire, the Scottish Government has announced. Following a consultation on fire and smoke alarms, the existing high standard required in private rented housing will be extended to all homes. Continue reading Safe as Houses: new home safety regulations proposed
Firefighters responded to over 2,700 deliberate fires across Scotland in the space of just two months, figures reveal. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews dealt with a total of 2,782 such blazes across the country between March and April 2017 – and there were 2,830 deliberate fires over the same period the previous year. Continue reading Fire and Rescue Service launches Spring safety campaign
The safety of Scotland’s communities is set to be further bolstered as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service breaks ground on a new, multi-million pound training centre in Edinburgh. It will boast the capacity and latest cutting edge technology to train more than 1,600 frontline firefighters annually to respond to the most challenging incidents and protect people and communities. Continue reading SFRS breaks ground on £12 million training facility
Firefighters overcame challenging conditions to provide food, water, blankets and comfort to hundreds of drivers stranded overnight on the M80. Continue reading Firefighters go ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ to aid motorists stranded on M80
A little piece of civic history was made last week when the first ever meeting of North West Localities Committee was held in the City Chambers on 9 February. It was at times a complex and complicated meeting but it’s set the council on a course of new ways of working with partners. Continue reading North West Locality: all will become clear!
Consultation opens on ‘transformation vision’
THE Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is set to launch a public consultation as it continues to lead the way in Scotland’s public sector – by proposing to transform to meet modern risks. Continue reading Have your say in Fire & Rescue Service consultation
Firefighters responded to more than 500 accidental house fires across Scotland during last year’s festive season.
Latest figures reveal that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a total of 517 such incidents between December 7 and January 11.
This is a stark increase from the 230 accidental house fires over the same period the previous year.
Accidental house fires can be caused by an increased use of heating and electrical appliances – as well as higher alcohol consumption during the holiday season.
Assistant Chief Officer David McGown is the SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection. He spoke out ahead of this Winter’s awareness campaign to urge families to stay safe over this festive period.
ACO McGown said: “This winter SFRS will work closely with local communities and partner agencies to keep Scotland safe from fire and other emergencies – but as always, we need the public’s help to reduce the amount of preventable fires we might see in the coming months.
“I would directly appeal to people to check if their elderly relatives, neighbours or friends are in need of our support and to contact us directly.
“Home fire safety visits are a key pillar of our prevention work that help safeguard the public – especially vulnerable residents but also families and the wider community. These are free pre-arranged visits where SFRS staff identify signs to protect people and their homes.
“SFRS staff can also identify hazards in the home, help plan escape routes and supply and install smoke detectors for free – a vital tool for every home.”
The senior officer also appealed to people to take care on the roads as the colder weather can also see firefighters attend more traffic collisions due to treacherous driving conditions during ice and flooding.
He said: “Every year across Scotland, there is a rise in emergency calls to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service due to winter weather.
“We urge the public to take action now and be prepared for whatever hazards might come in the next few months.
“Winter weather also brings unexpected and dangerous conditions to our roads. It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is serviced, well maintained and that drivers take the necessary precautions when driving in bad weather.’’
If you or someone you know is vulnerable or may be at risk from fire please get in touch and arrange a FREE home fire safety visit with local firefighters by calling 0800 0731 999.
For more advice on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire during winter visit: www.firescotland.gov.uk/winter
Firefighters have appealed for the public to help them prevent tragedies while cooking in the kitchen in a new advertising campaign. Continue reading Firefighters’ appeal: Stay safe when cooking
A former newsagent has told how he made a life-changing decision thanks to his customers – a crew of firefighters. Mani Dhesi left the shop counter and joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service after being inspired by their accounts of protecting the public. And the father-of-two – who can speak FOUR languages – is now playing a vital role in bringing the SFRS closer to communities. Continue reading Mani swaps serving customers for saving lives
Police in Edinburgh are condemning attacks on emergency services over the weekend – and Muirhouse hit the headlines for the wrong reasons once again as a woman police officer suffered burns in an incident there. Continue reading Woman police officer seriously injured by firework in Muirhouse
