Scottish fire service in "crisis", new report suggests
Low morale, underinvestment and budget cuts are being blamed
Last updated 24th Oct 2023
Scotland's fire service is in "crisis" according to a new report, which found that low morale, underinvestment and budget cuts are impacting firefighters' ability to respond effectively to serious and life-threatening incidents.
Set to be released by the Fire Brigades Union on Wednesday at the Scottish Parliament, the report contains firefighter’s concerns around response times, the quality of training, standard of equipment and health concerns about fire contaminants.
Additionally, the report also pointed to the condition of buildings in the SFRS estate, with 14 having issues with crumbly reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
The report claims there has been "some" investment in equipment but this has been slow compared with other parts of the UK.
John McKenzie, Scottish secretary of the FBU, said a "damning" picture has been painted.
He said: "We cannot go on like this, our members and the public have had enough.
"If the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is to meet the challenges of our times, we need immediate and radical change and this report sets out what that should look like.
"Over the last decade we have been failed by political leaders who have tried to ignore this crisis. They cannot ignore us now.
"It is now up to the Scottish Government, the SFRS management and all political parties to respond positively to this report, reverse the cuts and help build a fire and rescue service that aspires to be world-leading."
Report highlights lack of quality training and resources
One firefighter who was interviewed as part of the report said there was no personal issue respirators or adequate welfare facilities for larger incidents at their station.
Additionally, firefighters felt the training provided was inconsistent and inadequate, with trainees coming into fire stations without having experience of "hot fire" training, which replicates the heat, smoke logging and conditions experienced in a variety of different fire settings.
Watch commanders also told the union they do not feel they have adequate or up to date qualifications to train their firefighters, with one reporting their breathing apparatus instructor certificate was 10 years old.
In a survey accompanying the report, around 93% of respondents told the FBU they did not believe the SFRS was "adequately resourced enough to deal with the increase in climate-related incidents such as wildfires and flooding".
FBU members being consulted on strike action
The FBU is currently consulting members over taking strike action in opposition to the cuts the union said have been imposed by the Scottish Government.
A projected, five-year, flat cash budget, in place until 2027, has already removed 10 whole-time fire engines and 150 retained appliances are regularly unavailable due to significant recruitment and retention issues, the union said.
The SFRS announced that it will need to save a minimum of £14 million next year which could result in the loss of a further 339 firefighters and 18 fire engines, with more to come.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Firefighters play a vital role in protecting communities and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has continued to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe.
"Despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity, we are providing SFRS with more than £368 million this year, an increase of £14.4 million on 2022-23.
"Whilst allocation of resources, along with recruitment and retention of firefighters, is an operational matter for SFRS, we are maintaining frontline services, with a higher number of firefighters in Scotland than other parts of the UK.
Ministers will continue engaging with the FBU to discuss their concerns."