Proposed reforms to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) could endanger lives, according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which has strongly criticised plans to close stations, cut staff and change cover arrangements.
The SFRS has put forward a series of changes affecting more than 30 stations across 14 local authority areas. These include the potential closure or merger of up to 13 fire stations, the permanent withdrawal of 10 fire appliances and alterations to night and weekend cover. Among the stations under threat are sites in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Musselburgh.
The proposals will be published this week and opened to a 12-week public consultation. The SFRS says changes are necessary to modernise the service, improve efficiency and address an £800 million backlog in repairs to buildings, vehicles and equipment.
Chief officer Stuart Stevens said: “I absolutely recognise the concerns that people will have because these are significant changes that we’re proposing, but let me be clear — any changes we will make will only be done if it ensures the safety of the community of Scotland.
“This is a really important step for the organisation to make sure that the service is fit for Scotland’s future.”
The review also proposes closing eight part-time stations that have not been fully operational for years, and revising shift patterns to weekday cover at some sites, supported by on-call crews at evenings and weekends.
The FBU has responded forcefully to the proposals. John McKenzie, Scottish secretary of the union, said: “Our members and the Scottish public have suffered more than enough cuts to the fire service.
“For over a decade real-terms budget cuts have increased risks to public safety, with firefighter numbers slashed and response times increasing as a result. The service is already on its knees because of these cuts. That has led to increases in response times and when this time is lost, tragically lives will also be lost.”
The union estimates that 1,200 firefighter posts have been lost since the formation of the national fire service in 2013 and strongly opposes the permanent removal of appliances and shift pattern changes. However, it has indicated support for some aspects of the reform, particularly around modernisation and improved infrastructure, if backed by appropriate investment.
Chief officer Stevens insisted the temporary withdrawal of the 10 appliances in 2023 had shown “no detrimental effect on community outcomes”. He also urged caution when interpreting response time statistics and stressed the importance of prevention.
“The point at which a fire starts and the point in which it’s discovered is the most important part in determining the outcome of a fire,” he said. “That’s why we believe that investment in prevention is the key to this.”
The Scottish Government has increased the SFRS capital budget to £47 million, though Stevens argues £60 million a year is required to maintain the fleet and estate adequately.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “The emergencies the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responds to have changed, with fewer house fires and more wildfire and flooding incidents.
“It is right, then, that the service considers how to adapt to the changing risks to remain effective and efficient, with firefighters in the right place at the right time to ensure people and communities are protected.
“I would encourage members of the public to take part in the SFRS consultation so their voices are heard.”
However, the proposals have faced political criticism. Scottish Conservative community safety spokesperson Sharon Dowey MSP described the plans as “bombshell” and warned of “potentially devastating consequences”.
“Coupled with proposals to reduce full-time firefighters, this will create an intolerable situation with potentially devastating consequences,” she said. “SNP ministers must pull out all the stops to avoid these cuts from going ahead by delivering the funding our fire service has repeatedly been crying out for.”
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Concerns are also being raised in remote communities, including Fetlar in Shetland, where the local station has not operated for several years due to a lack of eligible volunteers. Juliet Bellis, secretary of the Fetlar Community Association, said: “We’d like something similar to the first responder model used by the ambulance service.”
Eight stations in remote areas, including Crianlarich, Nethy Bridge, the Isle of Muck and Corriecravie on Arran, have been listed as “long-term dormant” and are also proposed for closure.
Despite a significant fall in house fires and related fatalities in recent decades, the nature of emergencies is shifting. The SFRS says its reform is essential to ensure Scotland’s fire service is sustainable, responsive and fit for the future.
