Following the meeting of the joint Fire Board at Highland Council HQ this afternoon, The Fire Brigades Union welcomes the offer of assistance from Steven Torrie and others in the team from H.M.I and his department, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit (SFRAU). The experience and knowledge brought to our area by Scotland’s top firefighter is very encouraging and hope that the safety of our members is given paramount importance moving forward.
FBU Brigade Secretary for the Highlands and Islands Marty Cooper said “We appreciate the fact that councillors have recognised the potential benefits to our service by accepting H.M.I’s advice.” He added “It is important to remember that as we move towards a Single Scottish Fire Service we must not be insular and recognise that the involvement of H.M.I should not be viewed as external interference”. Calum MacNeill , Brigade Chair said “It is a great opportunity to have this team offering their expertise and this should be used to its full potential. The FBU have been critical in the past of the regard paid to the health and safety of our members by Principal managers, and are encouraged that these shortcomings are now being taken seriously by H.M.I”.
Steven Torrie has assured the FBU that their primary concern is the safety of our firefighters and ensuring that units which respond to calls across the Highlands and Islands are fully capable and the fire cover they provide is the equal to that in any other service in the U.K.
