HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland: Chief Inspector's plan - 2021 to 2024

Potential future activity up to 2024

The thematic activity which we shall undertake beyond 2021-22 during the course of this Plan, will depend on the issues that influence our inspection work but may include some of the following areas of interest:

• climate change and Service preparedness (wildfires, flooding etc);
• the Service's planning and preparations for a response to a Marauding Terrorist Act;
• the state of the provision of specialist resources (specialist appliances, equipment and staff, including usage and training);
• recognising and embedding organisational learning;
• fire cover – distribution, modelling and standards;
• HR/workforce planning – recruitment, attrition and skills (all duty systems); support to LSO areas;
• organisational culture, diversity and gender balance;
• administration and use of technology;
• Operations Control;
• RVDS duty system.

The Local Area Inspection activity which we shall undertake beyond 2021-22, during the course of this Plan, is projected in the table below. Its timetabling will be influenced by other inspection work and any dynamic events going forward.

Significant Incidents and Unplanned Events

We have a policy that details our procedure for inquiring into significant incidents, that is, incidents the circumstances or outcomes of which are likely to attract public interest or concern. Generally speaking, we will not commence an Inquiry into a significant incident where this would substantially duplicate work being done by other bodies. We reserve the right, however, to undertake our own Inquiry where this would bring benefits that would not be realised by other investigations. We will always consult with bodies holding statutory responsibility for investigating the circumstances, before deciding to carry out a significant incident inquiry.

From time to time, the Inspectorate expects to respond to unplanned events whether under the description of 'significant incident' or otherwise (this may include instances where Scottish Ministers direct the Chief Inspector to carry out an Inquiry). The Inspectorate may be in a position to deal with such an inquiry with existing staff and resources, or may need to take on additional support for the duration of the work. In any case, the staffing and work of the Inspectorate is intended to be sufficiently flexible to allow for an appropriate response.

The diagram below illustrates the activity framework covered by HMFSI through its inspection programme.

Graphic text below

HMFSI Activity Framework

• Thematic Inspections
• Local AreavInspections
• Ministerial direction
• Other relevant Inspections
• Professional advice