Annabelle Ewing

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 19 Mar 2026

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43964 on 9 March 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 16 Mar 2026

The in-principle agreement between the Fire Brigades Union and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on an expanded role for firefighters in Scotland includes a significant uplift in pay in exchange for carrying out the new duties. The challenging fiscal position has meant that the increases in funding provided to SFRS since 2022 have been in support of front-line services but have been insufficient to provide additional funding to support the expanded role proposals. Whilst a broadened role for firefighters remains a priority in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland, the overall funding position means there are currently no detailed negotiations taking place.

Answer · Neil Gray · 2 Mar 2026

We are working in collaboration with the Phase Two locations, including Central Fife, on the development of three further sites in premises on the high street or former retail sites. It is important that any location is safe for clinical care and meets the strict criteria applicable to premises delivering NHS care. Once commercial and clinical agreements are in place, we will be able to provide further information on the specific location of the pilot.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 26 Feb 2026

There is an in-principle agreement between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Brigades Union on role expansion for Scottish firefighters. However, the actual uplift in pay would be subject to detailed negotiation. The cost would therefore be dependent on the outcome of those negotiations.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 25 Feb 2026

An agreement in principle between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Fire Brigades Union on additional duties for Scottish firefighters has been in place since 2022. However, the anticipated cost of this agreement has meant the proposal has been unaffordable over the last 3 financial years. The Scottish Government continues to work closely with SFRS concerning options for the expansion of the role of firefighters, which is a priority included in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2022.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 25 Feb 2026

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is conducting a Service Delivery Review (SDR) to enable the organisation to respond to current and future risks. SFRS acknowledges that it cannot eliminate risk but it aims to reduce risk to a point where it is manageable, proportionate, and consistent with its legal and statutory duties, strategic aims, and the benefits that the proposed changes in the SDR are expected to deliver.If SFRS considers the risk to be manageable, well understood, controlled and proportionate it can consider this tolerable. Throughout the SDR, SFRS has identified associated risks to demonstrate sound process and methodology to its approach. This allows SFRS to have informed data led considerations, based on evidence, robust modelling and professional judgement to maintain crew, partner and public safety while delivering organisational improvement within its allocated budget.

Answer · Siobhian Brown · 25 Feb 2026

This information is not held centrally. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) publishes its incident statistics annually in October. SFRS’s latest incident statistics can be found on its website at Statistics | Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.