Launch of the FBU's Firestorm Report

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of Firestorm, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scotland’s report into the future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS); understands that the report is based on research, interviews and an extensive survey of serving FBU members; further understands that the recommendations contained in the report make the case for positive change based on the participants’ perspectives; highlights what it sees as the need to prepare now for an expected increase in the number and severity of climate-related incidents, including wildfires and flooding, as global temperatures rise, and the number of catastrophic weather events increase; notes that the recommended preparations include investing sufficiently to provide modern and appropriate equipment and technology to fight fires quickly, efficiently and safely, prioritising essential and adequate staff training, and ensuring that physical and mental health and wellbeing within the workforce is supported and maintained; further notes what it sees as the willingness of FBU members to support changes and adaptations to their roles and responsibilities, as part of the work to ensure that the SFRS is fit for the future; notes the calls on the Scottish Government to engage with the FBU and frontline workers to better understand the impacts of decisions on their ability to deal with different incidents, and thanks all members of the SFRS for the important, life-saving work that they do.