SFRS marks 11th Annual Performance Review
Annual Performance Review in Stirling has heard that the Service must continue to evolve to meet Scotland's changing needs.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) Annual Performance Review in Stirling has heard that the Service must continue to evolve to meet Scotland's changing needs.
The Annual Performance Review (APR) allows the Scottish Government to formally assess the SFRS's performance against established priorities.
During the review meeting, the SFRS Board and Strategic Leadership Team explained the organisation is continuing to explore options for change through its Strategic Service Review Programme and other initiatives to meet Scotland’s changing risks.
The Service has faced a challenging year, with over 80,000 incidents responded to across Scotland.
Following the meeting Chief Officer Ross Haggart said: “The key highlights and achievements over the last 12 months would not have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of our people.
“Their physical and mental wellbeing remains a key priority; they are our greatest asset.”
“We are aware of the financial challenges across the public sector in Scotland, however against this backdrop our crews have continued to provide first class prevention and emergency response services to the people of Scotland.
During the meeting those in attendance remembered the victims and families of the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Service outlined its plans to fully analyse and implement the recommendations following the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 Report.
Discussions also took place about key areas of work including the control measures implemented to reduce the risk to firefighters’ health from toxic contaminants in fires and the Service’s focus on understanding and changing organisational culture.
An update on the Service’s Strategic Service Review Programme was provided. Chief Officer Haggart said: “The consultation process commenced this year with the launch of our ‘Shaping Our Future Service: Your Say’ survey.
“The survey results are currently being reviewed, and these will shape options for change, which will be subject to full stakeholder and community consultation.”
A report published for the APR event also highlights the key activities that have been carried out to meet the priorities set out in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland.
Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhan Brown MSP said: "I greatly value the responsibility of holding what is now the eleventh Annual Performance Review of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
"Each year the Annual Performance Review provides an opportunity for us to both reflect on performance and also to give our thanks for all that SFRS have done within the reporting year.
"The Review and Annual Report document allows Government and the public to look at the Service’s performance and the work that has been done over the past year.
"This is the second year we will consider performance against the Scottish Government Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2022, which sets out Scottish Ministers’ ambitions and priorities for the SFRS, and the strategic priorities that represent our high-level ambition for what we want from a world leading, skilled and sustainable fire and rescue service."