The Fire Brigades Union has produced a powerful report about the challenges their members face.
‘Firestorm’ has just been launched at the Scottish Parliament in an event hosted by Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
John McKenzie, Scottish Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union. said ‘this state of the nation report into the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service paints a damning picture of under investment, declining standards and job losses, all of which increases the risk to firefighters and the public we serve. 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. There are over 50 recommendations that have come from those who know the service best, the firefighters who work on the frontline in fire stations and control rooms across the country.
McKenzie praised his members and confirmed their reasonable and proper expectations: ‘they want to be the best that they can be, they want trained to highest possible standards, to work in a service that has the required resources to respond quickly to emergency situations, and is equipped to meet the challenges of our times, paid appropriately for the stressful work they do and to work in a welcoming, supportive organisation'.
Chapman said ‘I am proud to be helping highlight this important report. Firefighters put their lives on the line every day for us and our communities. We must listen to them about what happens on the ground, how they respond to incidents, and what they need.
‘Too many appliances are off the run, shifts are not being fully covered, and watches are having to travel further afield than ever before to support other stations. I have heard so many stories of near misses: things that nearly went very wrong but didn’t - just. That is due to the ingenuity, commitment, and dedication of our firefighters. However, this cannot continue.
‘All of this is taking its toll on the mental and physical well-being of our firefighters. Scotland, like the rest of the world, is facing the increasing risk of severe wildfires due to climate change. Our fire service must have the facilities, equipment, training, and staff to continue to tackle these challenges and continue to save lives’.
Published October 2023.