Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved :-

to acknowledge the verbal update provided.

The Convener introduced the Local Area Commander (LAC), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), acknowledged awareness of the increased challenges upon SFRS and sought assurance that there had been no impact on service delivery.

The LAC provided a verbal update on the activities undertaken by SFRS during the pandemic lockdown to address the required adaptions to maintain an effective and safe service delivery.

Members heard that staff and public safety requirements were foremost, and several reviews had amended all functions beginning from the initial request for an SFRS service whether by answering of a call or receipt of correspondence through to completion; whether that be non-emergency or emergency situations.

The LAC advised Members that safe working practices within stations had been adapted and that legislative requirements around fire safety and inspection had been maintained through innovative use of technology.

Members heard that SFRS intended to capture learning and best practice from adaptions implemented during the pandemic period to inform enhanced SFRS service delivery.

The LAC concluded with examples of where Firefighters had responded to community needs. Responding to a question on staff morale, the LAC provided examples of positive welfare and activity by staff to overcome the difficult situation and indicated that combined with low levels of absenteeism, high levels of staff morale were evident.

The Committee resolved :-

to acknowledge the verbal update provided.