There are four local senior officers (LSOs) in the north of Scotland who work hard to create strong relationships with local councils and our other community partners to continue the provision of dedicated local fire and rescue services.

LSOs work with local authorities and partners to provide effective links with local communities and ensure that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deliver the benefits of fire reform at a local level. This includes the protection of local frontline services and a commitment to build on the positive outcomes that have already been delivered as individual fire and rescue services, for people to be safer, particularly from fire but also from other emergencies that may occur across the country.

LSOs ensure that communities across Scotland have a more equitable access to the full range of specialist fire and rescue service resources including water rescue, rope rescue, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and the personnel, equipment, training and facilities to deal with a wide range of issues from fires, road traffic collisions, major weather related events, the potential risks from a terrorist attack, significant industrial accidents and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) response.

They also oversee the Prevention and Protection agenda for their respective areas ensuring that the public have access to the full range of community safety support from free home fire safety visits to specialist advice for individuals and organisations.