Scotland Together

Major study tackles Scotland's fire risk

People in Scotland are twice as likely to die in house fires compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. People north of the Border are also much more likely to be injured or have their property damaged in fires.

A major new study has now been published which not only examines the causes of fire deaths but proposes effective ways to tackle these issues.

Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety, commissioned the Scottish Community Fire Safety Study in November 2008 in response to a 62 per cent increase in fire deaths in the previous fiscal year.  Mr Ewing asked Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Chief Officer Brian Sweeney to examine how fire deaths and injuries could be reduced.

The study looked at issues such as the reasons why Scotland suffers higher rates of fire deaths, accidental dwelling fires and secondary fires (refuse, grass, derelict vehicles and derelict buildings) when compared with the rest of the United Kingdom.  In addition, the study gathered information on what community safety activity was already ongoing across Scotland's eight Fire and Rescue Services and how National and Local Government were working collaboratively to develop and implement good practice.

Mr Sweeney formed a small study team drawn from Scottish Government and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue to look at the whole issue of fire risk in Scotland.  A total of 37 recommendations are included in the final report titled 'Scotland Together'.

Brian Sweeney, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Chief Officer and chair of the Scottish Community Fire Safety Study states: "The 'Scotland Together' report provides 37 recommendations which will assist in driving down the number of people killed by fire.  The extensive research conducted is unique to Scotland and examines the underlying reasons for the high number of people killed by fire. The principle of the 'Safer Scotland Unit' needs to be delivered, this report cannot, and must not, lie on a shelf if Scotland is to tackle this issue."

Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety has stated: "The Scottish Government welcomes the findings of the community fire safety report by Chief Officer Sweeney. While fire deaths continue to show a downward trend, the fact remains that too many people in Scotland are killed or injured by fires in the home.

"As part of the Scottish Government's commitment to reducing fires and fire deaths, I commissioned this report as it is important for me to understand the views, experiences and recommendations of those on the front line of fire prevention.

"The report contains a number of interesting proposals, and clearly demonstrates the need for an effective multi-agency approach, to both target the root cause of fires and deliver preventative solutions. All proposals will be given full consideration and, where appropriate, will help shape the range of work already being delivered by both the Government and its partners.

"All proposals will be given full consideration by the Government and will also be debated in Parliament on 12th November, giving all MSPs an opportunity to share their views on how best to shape the range of work already being delivered by both the Government and its partners."