Our scrutiny
Under section 43F of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, the Chief Inspector must prepare a Plan setting out: (a) priorities for inquiries to be carried out; and (b) information on how inquiries will be carried out in a way which is proportionate, accountable and transparent. In line with that requirement, our Chief Inspector’s Plan outlines our intended priorities and scrutiny activities for the 2022-25 period. The Plan was developed through discussion with the SFRS, other scrutiny bodies, targeted stakeholder engagement, and on our previously identified areas of interest, including our knowledge of issues identified through our existing inspection programme. We will keep this Plan under review and make such changes as we determine necessary to enable us to both respond to risk and discharge our statutory obligations.
HMFSI has a rolling programme of inspections which cover local service delivery, scrutiny, partnership working and engagement between the SFRS, councils and other partners.
We also carry out thematic inspections of the SFRS looking at specific areas of interest nationally. HMFSI also provides independent advice to Scottish Ministers and the Chief Inspector has certain functions in relation to non-domestic fire safety.