Keeping Scotland Safe and Strong - A Consultation on Reforming Police and Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland: Analysis of Consultation Responses

9. A MODERN PURPOSE FOR FIRE AND RESCUE

Question 13: What are your views on how we might strengthen the proposed purpose? Should the purpose be set out in the Fire Framework, or in some other way?

Summary of proposals in the consultation document:

• Creation of a new purpose for the Fire and Rescue Service that reflects the realities of its activities in the 21^st century and the Scottish Government's vision for a reformed service, focusing on improving the safety and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.
• Embedding the purpose in a revised Fire Framework operating under Section 40 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

9.1 59 respondents from the following respondent categories addressed this question.

Respondent category	Number of respondents	Respondent category	Number of respondents
Pol Force		LA	24
PB		Vol	2
Pol Org	1	CPP	5
FRS	3	NHS
FB	4	Oth	9
Fire Org	6	Individuals	5

Note: Abbreviations used in the above table are described in Table 1.

Views on the proposals for a new purpose

9.2 17 respondents from a range of sectors provided clear support for the proposals for a new purpose. A recurring comment amongst these respondents was that the proposals emphasised the Fire and Rescue Service's key partnership role. One respondent commented:

"..it further enables and encourages the FRS to participate fully in the wider public protection and community safety agenda" (LA).

The emphasis on better outcomes and the focus on prevention were also welcomed.

9.3 A minority of respondents considered that the proposed purpose could be made more concise and straightforward. 2 specific suggestions were to insert:

• "to improve the safety and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities"
• "to save life, protect property and the environment".

9.4 One respondent (LA) felt that the proposed purpose tries to capture too much and should be more akin to the proposed police purpose. 2 respondents (Both) urged that the purpose be framed from the perspective of the public and their expectations of a responsive service which engages with them and delivers good value for money.

9.5 3 respondents recommended slight changes to wording:

• "people in Scotland" not "people of Scotland" to reflect the inclusion of, for example, migrant workers and people on holiday (Oth)
• "..wellbeing of the people across all of Scotland" to help to emphasise rural as well as urban coverage (Oth)
• replace "To improve the safety and wellbeing" with "To secure and improve the safety and wellbeing" (LA).

9.6 Many suggestions were made for additions to the proposed purpose. Most common were:

• insert an explicit reference to engaging with communities
• insert an explicit reference to involvement in multi-agency working.

Views on setting out the purpose in the Fire Framework

9.7 23 respondents from a range of sectors highlighted their support for the proposal to set out the purpose in the Fire Framework. The key benefit was seen as ensuring flexibility for future updating, thus allowing the purpose to be responsive and modern.

9.8 Only one respondent (Ind) recommended that the purpose be enshrined in legislation, arguing that definition within the Fire Framework or other such documents "may lessen its effect and understanding".

Question 14: What are your views on our plans to retain existing functions for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service?

Summary of the proposal in the consultation document:

• No change to the functions of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

9.9 55 respondents from the following respondent categories addressed this question.

Respondent category	Number of respondents	Respondent category	Number of respondents
Pol Force		LA	22
PB		Vol	2
Pol Org	1	CPP	5
FRS	3	NHS
FB	4	Oth	8
Fire Org	5	Individuals	5

Note: Abbreviations used in the above table are described in Table 1.

Support for existing functions

9.10 38 respondents (including almost all of the LAs) provided clear support for the proposal to retain the existing functions for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The existing functions were viewed by these respondents as still wholly relevant, having been reviewed as recently as 2005.

9.11 Other respondents (largely fire and rescue bodies) considered that reform provides the opportunity to examine, clarify and expand on existing functions which one respondent described as "overly complicated, fragmented and in some cases unclear" (Fire Org). Another (FB) remarked that the current "catch all" clause of Section 13^[9] is not sufficient, and that core provision should be detailed. Likewise, "promoting fire safety" was viewed as failing to reflect the broader, preventative function of the service (Fire Org).

9.12 The most common recommendations (made largely by fire and rescue bodies) for additional functions and greater clarity of function are summarised below:

• co-ordination role for inland rescue
• flood response
• tackling anti-social behaviour
• restorative justice
• involvement in demand reduction strategies
• assurance to the UK Government on the continued arrangement regarding Grampian's UK ISAR team
• supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service in remote, rural and island communities
• participation in the wider public service/protection agenda
• input to improved building design and fire safety strategies
• firefighting at sea/Marine Incident Response Group.

9.13 Summary

• The proposals for a new purpose for fire and rescue were generally supported with the emphasis on partnership working particularly welcomed.
• Much support was expressed amongst those responding to this question for the proposal to place the purpose for fire and rescue in the Fire Framework. The key benefit was seen as ensuring flexibility for future updating.