Contingency Planning Arrangements for Industrial Action in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
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Introduction
About HM Fire Service Inspectorate
His Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFSI) is a body that operates within, but independently of, the Scottish Government. Inspectors have the scrutiny powers specified in section 43B of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. These include inquiring into the state and efficiency of the SFRS, its compliance with Best Value, and the way it is carrying out its functions.
HMFSI Inspectors may, in conducting inspections, assess whether the SFRS is complying with its duty to secure Best Value and continuous improvement. If necessary, Scottish Ministers can direct Inspectors to investigate anything relating to the SFRS as they consider appropriate.
We also have an established role in providing professional advice and guidance on the emergency response, legislation, and education in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland.
How this Inspection was Conducted
An inquiry by HM Inspectorate can be self-directed or can be subject to direction by Scottish Ministers. This inquiry was directed by the Minister for Community Safety, Elena Whitham.
The Inspection team members were:
- Robert Scott QFSM, Chief Inspector
- John Joyce QFSM, Assistant Inspector
- Gillian Buchanan, Inspection Officer (Seconded from SFRS)
A quality assurance process assisted us by challenging a draft of this report. Quality assurance was carried out by Brian McKenzie, HMFSI Assistant Inspector. The SFRS was offered and accepted the opportunity to comment on the content of this Inspection report.
All the members of the inspection team contributed to the development of this report and the quality assurance provided a professional challenge to the contents, assumptions and conclusions made.
The Inspection team conducted a desk top analysis of key SFRS documents that related to their planning arrangements for IA. In person or Teams Interviews were conducted with SFRS personnel and subject matter experts. Inspection team members attended SFRS tabletop and live scenario testing sessions for the IA planning arrangements.
Our report reflects the circumstance at the time of our visits and interviews which were undertaken between December 2022 and February 2023.
This inspection was not a comprehensive in-depth audit, albeit it is sufficiently detailed for the Chief Inspector to give a professional judgement on the activity and suitability of the SFRS Industrial Action contingency planning arrangements within an operational context.
Laid before the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Ministers under section 43D(4) of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 SG/2023/86