Strathclyde Fire and Rescue is an effective service with a strong focus on improvement and efficiency

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue provides an effective service and makes good use of integrated risk management planning, with clear evidence of shifts in resources to better match community risks.

The Accounts Commission’s findings published today say the service shows innovation in working with other organisations, demonstrated by its highly effective Community Safety Partnership Unit which has helped improve the targeting of preventative work.

While the service has a good focus on improvement and efficiency, it also has relatively high operating costs. The Commission said it is particularly encouraged by the service’s commitment to self evaluation as demonstrated by the peer review exercise of it by London Fire Brigade - the only such review of a Scottish fire service.

There is scope for board members to take a greater role in setting the strategic direction of the service. The board should review the support provided to ensure that it is sufficient in helping members meet their Best Value responsibilities.

Strathclyde has strengths in how it manages its workforce. It has also introduced a new shift system, aimed at providing greater flexibility and significant financial savings.

Chair of the Accounts Commission, John Baillie, said:

“Strathclyde Fire and Rescue is an effective service with a strong culture of performance management and continuous improvement. The board needs to assure itself that crewing its appliances with more firefighters than other fire and rescue services demonstrates value for money, and fulfils the suggested benefits to public safety."