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Major focus on firefighter training in 2010 fire budget
Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service is to make a significant investment in firefighter training. The proposal was agreed as part of its budget for 2010/11.

The budget for 2010/11 was considered at a meeting of the Joint Fire Board which was held on Friday 29th January.   

This will allow the Service to enhance their current training provision, including specialist water rescue training and realistic fire training in a carbonaceous burning unit. This training is vital for the continuing professional development of our firefighters and will help to ensure their safety whilst in extreme environments.

The carbonaceous burning unit will give firefighters experience of a realistic fire environment. The current unit the Service has is operated by gas and is not reflective of the intensity or movement of an actual fire. As the number of fire-related incidents declines, this is even more important as firefighters are generally experiencing less on-the-job development.

The Service has been able to make this investment due to efficiency savings in other areas. It has been Service policy to reinvest efficiency savings into maintaining front-line service delivery. In last year's budget this allowed the Service to create four additional firefighter posts.

Savings have been made in a number of areas, including the introduction of a managed vacancy policy for support staff and the reduction of middle manager positions.

The overall budget represents a decrease of 3 per cent although this is mainly due to a change in the pension arrangements.

Chief Fire Officer Steven Torrie, said: "In an extremely challenging external environment, this budget represents a positive investment in frontline service delivery.

Firefighter training is vital, especially as we are responding to fewer fire-related incidents so our firefighters are experiencing less on-the-job development.

"The Service has consistently managed its business in an efficient and effective way and the budget reflects this. This budget not only enhances our emergency response but it sets the Service up to manage, as far a possible, the many challenges in may face in the coming years".

Joint Fire Board Convener, Councillor Craig Martin said: "The Joint Fire Board has consistently stated that the protection of front-line services will be maintained where possible. This budget delivers on this principle.

"The Service has continued to deliver efficiency savings in order to invest in areas that are a priority. In an unprecedented financial climate, this prudent approach to financial management has ensured that we can continue to deliver for our communities".

 
Notes to editors:

  • The Joint Fire Board meeting was held on the 29 January 2009 at Falkirk Council.