Monday 26 Nov 2007 @ 17:15
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Fire Services Annual Report 2006-07
The number of fire deaths in Scotland fell by over 26 per cent to its lowest level on record.
The 2006-07 annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services Jeff Ord shows the number of fatalities from fires was 45 - down from 61 the year before.
The report's main findings also show that, compared to 2005-06:
* A three per cent reduction in number of primary (property) fires
* A three per cent increase in total number of incidents attended across Scotland, mostly representing a rise in false alarms with good intent and secondary fires
* An 11 per cent increase in number of women employed in operational roles, but an identified need to focus on the disappointing diversity profile within the service
* A slight decrease in number of attacks on firefighters, from 324 to 316
* A three per cent increase in secondary (rubbish, nuisance, grassland etc.) fires
* Investment in the New Dimension Programme to improve Scottish resilience to major terrorist or environmental events continues to support a multi-agency partnership approach
Jeff Ord said:
"The Scottish Fire and Rescues Service performed well last year with good progress being recorded by the joint inspection teams from the Fire Inspectorate and Audit Scotland. The continuing focus on prevention has had a positive impact on the key objective to make our communities safer.
"The reduction in fire deaths to the lowest level ever recorded is welcomed, but every fire death is a tragedy and much more needs to be done to drive the figure down even lower.
"The use of Integrated Risk Management Planning has seen the service achieve increased organisational capacity to deliver a comprehensive home safety programme which, along with Scottish Government education and advertising campaigns, will help to reduce the impact of fire on the everyday lives of the Scottish population.
"Notwithstanding the positive figures, I am still disappointed to note that the lack of a working smoke alarm was a factor in around 50 per cent of fatal fires. In addition, alcohol use and misuse played a significant part in almost 50 per cent of fire deaths in the home.
"Attacks on firefighters fell slightly during the year, and it is to be hoped that this is a trend that will continue. However, on over 300 occasions members of the service were subjected to physical or verbal abuse. This is completely unacceptable and continued effort to work with the public to address this issue is required by both the service and its community safety partners.
"The multi-agency partnership to improve resilience to major environmental or terrorist events has added new equipment and skills to the service. The continued investment in the roll-out of these additional resources, in partnership with other emergency services, will allow a co-ordinated, effective response to future incidents.
"Diversity remains an issue requiring further effort. While it is pleasing to note the 11 per cent increase in the number of woman who carry out wholetime operational duties, the service has a long way to go to fully reflect the community it serves.
"Overall, I am encouraged that the leadership within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is of the quality required to address the many difficult issues that face it.
"The joint working between the Inspectorate, the Service and the Scottish Government will continue to keep the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service amongst the most effective and innovative in the world."
The annual report 2006-07 of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services covers Scotland's eight fire and rescue service authorities.
The main aims of the inspectorate are to support, assist and where appropriate or necessary, robustly challenge fire authorities and their services in relation to the modernisation agenda.
Scotland's Fire & Rescue Services introduced a risk-based approach to all aspects of service delivery in 2005. Each authority produced Integrated Risk Management Plans to ensure prevention is given greater priority and resources are used to best effect. This is the second year of reporting the effectiveness of IRMPs.
Related Information
The 2006-07 annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services Jeff Ord shows the number of fatalities from fires was 45 - down from 61 the year before.
The report's main findings also show that, compared to 2005-06:
* A three per cent reduction in number of primary (property) fires
* A three per cent increase in total number of incidents attended across Scotland, mostly representing a rise in false alarms with good intent and secondary fires
* An 11 per cent increase in number of women employed in operational roles, but an identified need to focus on the disappointing diversity profile within the service
* A slight decrease in number of attacks on firefighters, from 324 to 316
* A three per cent increase in secondary (rubbish, nuisance, grassland etc.) fires
* Investment in the New Dimension Programme to improve Scottish resilience to major terrorist or environmental events continues to support a multi-agency partnership approach
Jeff Ord said:
"The Scottish Fire and Rescues Service performed well last year with good progress being recorded by the joint inspection teams from the Fire Inspectorate and Audit Scotland. The continuing focus on prevention has had a positive impact on the key objective to make our communities safer.
"The reduction in fire deaths to the lowest level ever recorded is welcomed, but every fire death is a tragedy and much more needs to be done to drive the figure down even lower.
"The use of Integrated Risk Management Planning has seen the service achieve increased organisational capacity to deliver a comprehensive home safety programme which, along with Scottish Government education and advertising campaigns, will help to reduce the impact of fire on the everyday lives of the Scottish population.
"Notwithstanding the positive figures, I am still disappointed to note that the lack of a working smoke alarm was a factor in around 50 per cent of fatal fires. In addition, alcohol use and misuse played a significant part in almost 50 per cent of fire deaths in the home.
"Attacks on firefighters fell slightly during the year, and it is to be hoped that this is a trend that will continue. However, on over 300 occasions members of the service were subjected to physical or verbal abuse. This is completely unacceptable and continued effort to work with the public to address this issue is required by both the service and its community safety partners.
"The multi-agency partnership to improve resilience to major environmental or terrorist events has added new equipment and skills to the service. The continued investment in the roll-out of these additional resources, in partnership with other emergency services, will allow a co-ordinated, effective response to future incidents.
"Diversity remains an issue requiring further effort. While it is pleasing to note the 11 per cent increase in the number of woman who carry out wholetime operational duties, the service has a long way to go to fully reflect the community it serves.
"Overall, I am encouraged that the leadership within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is of the quality required to address the many difficult issues that face it.
"The joint working between the Inspectorate, the Service and the Scottish Government will continue to keep the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service amongst the most effective and innovative in the world."
The annual report 2006-07 of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services covers Scotland's eight fire and rescue service authorities.
The main aims of the inspectorate are to support, assist and where appropriate or necessary, robustly challenge fire authorities and their services in relation to the modernisation agenda.
Scotland's Fire & Rescue Services introduced a risk-based approach to all aspects of service delivery in 2005. Each authority produced Integrated Risk Management Plans to ensure prevention is given greater priority and resources are used to best effect. This is the second year of reporting the effectiveness of IRMPs.
Related Information
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