1. Mid-Ross Community Partnership Station Manager Ricky Dibble
Public Meeting
31st May 2018
Dingwall Town Hall
TRANSFORMATION PRESENTATION – ITEM 5 OF 6 OF TRANSFORMATION RESOURCE PACK
Station Manager Ricky Dibble

2. Future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our communities and we will continue to do what we do today, but we must adapt to meet the new risks our country is facing.
Whilst fires in Scotland continue to decline, our country is facing changing risk with other very real risks are emerging, including:
The threat from terrorism
Climate change
Emergency medical response
Changing demographics
We as a Service need to transform to meet these risks and continue to provide an effective and efficient fire and rescue service for the people of Scotland now and in the future.

3. The Threat from Terrorism
Recent tragic events in Manchester and London have underlined the threat that international terrorism poses to the United Kingdom.
These terrorist incidents have seen firefighters at the forefront of emergency response – tackling fires, providing emergency medical response and responding to any other hazards.
Scotland is not immune to this threat as was demonstrated by the past attack on Glasgow Airport.
Should attacks occur again in Scotland, our crews will be among the first emergency service personnel to arrive at the scene.
It is critical that our firefighters have the required skills, resources and assets available to respond effectively and efficiently to terrorist incidents and prevent further harm.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

4. Climate Change
The climate has changed over the past few years with most areas experiencing a marked
rise in extreme and unpredictable weather conditions. 
Severe storms, widespread flooding, significant snow fall and major temperature fluctuations
can have a devastating impact on peoples’ lives and livelihoods.
Dry spells may be welcomed after long wet winters, however, if these become prolonged
Scotland’s vast grass and heath moorland are at a much greater risk of wildfire.
We need to be prepared to deliver a safe and sustainable response. 
We need to deploy our prevention and response resources to enable swift and effective actions
where and when they are needed across Scotland.
                                                                                                                          

5. Changing Demographics
Over the next 20 years there will be a significant rise in the proportion of over 65’s in Scotland.
This will generate new risks and demands within our communities.
These trends will increase the number of people who are at risk of fire and other forms of preventable harm,
such as trips and falls, within the home environment.
With transformation we have the opportunity to play an extended role working with partners to deliver effective
harm prevention measures through a more holistic approach to assessing risk, reducing or removing it.
With our population living longer and staying in their homes, if we undertake a greater preventative role we can
improve their safety and wellbeing and reduce the demand on other Public Services.
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

6. Emergency Medical Response
Almost 3,500 people in Scotland undergo attempted resuscitation each year after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,
only one in 20 live to return home.
By undertaking a role in emergency medical response firefighters can play a vital role in the
Scottish Government’s prevention Strategy.
Since November 2015 the Service has been involved in trials whereby fire appliances respond to
Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) incidents where our firefighters are closer than the nearest ambulance.

7. Transformation will help us:
Improve availability of RDS appliances
Improve firefighter and public safety through introduction of latest technology
Make the role work better for our dedicated personnel.

8. More Flexible Mobilisation
Need to improve appliance availability
Appliance mobilising with crew of three
Option to even look at crew of two for medical emergencies
Better aligned to unique needs of rural communities
All options will be safe. Crews will be trained, policies & procedures in place
Better for our crews, better for our communities – more chance to mobilise.

12. Bespoke Appliances and Equipment

22. Dedicated Rural Wholetime posts
60 new dedicated Wholetime Rural posts to be created (3 years)
Strengthened resilience
Enhance local training
Improve appliance availability
Expand prevention role
High value opportunities for rural communities
Seeking RDS applications.

24. Any Questions ?