Each year, the SFRS attends more than 28,000 false alarms from workplace automatic fire alarms, known as AFAs. The aim of the 12-week consultation is to gather views on the options, reduce the number of false alarms attended and allow firefighters to use that time to do more for the communities of Scotland.

Chief Officer Martin Blunden, explained: “If we can change how we respond to these alerts, potentially 64,000 hours per year of staff time can be freed up for other activities, including training and developing firefighters with additional skills to meet the changing needs of Scotland.

“This change will allow crews to respond to genuine emergencies much quicker because occasionally appliances are rerouted from a false alarm or required to be sent to one from a station further away.

“In addition, we will be able to invest more time to support workplaces and prevent false alarms from happening by working with those who have a legal responsibility for fire safety, known as a duty holder, to understand their obligations.

“We want to know what you think of our three proposed options, so please read the document and have your say on how you think we can best use our resources to keep you, your family and your community even safer.”

The consultation closes in one week, on Monday, October 11. The development of the proposed options was done in partnership with staff and key stakeholders, as well as gaining an understanding of the varied responses that other fire services in the UK already have in place.

It’s time for change. More information about the consultation, including the document and survey, is available online here.

Make your voice heard and help make Scotland a safer country for everyone.

This press release is also available in Gaelic: 

Tha dìreach seachdain air fhàgail gus do bheachdan a chur a-steach do cho-chomhairle na seirbheis smàlaidh mu atharrachaidhean a thaobh freagairtean do dh’alarman teine fèin-obrachail san àite-obrach.

Tha Seirbheis Smàlaidh agus Teasairginn na h-Alba (SFRS) ag iarraidh beachdan an t-sluaigh air trì roghainnean airson a bhith a’ freagairt alarman teine fèin-obrachail.

Bidh SFRS a’ dol a-mach gu còrr is 28,000 alarman fallsa gach bliadhna bho alarman teine fèin-obrachail san àite-obrach. ’S e amas na co-chomhairle 12-seachdain seo a bhith a’ faighinn bheachdan air na roghainnean, gus an àireamh de dh’alarman fallsa a bhios sinn a’ frithealadh a lùghdachadh agus gus an urrainn do na smàladairean an tìde seo a chleachdadh gus barrachd a dhèanamh do choimhearsnachdan na h-Alba.

Mhìnich Prìomh Oifigear Màrtainn Blunden: “Ma dh’atharraicheas sinn mar a tha sinn a’ dhèiligeadh ris na rabhaidhean sin, dh’fhaodamaid is dòcha 64,000 uair a thìde gach bliadhna de dh’ùine luchd-obrach a shaoradh airson gnìomhan eile, a’ gabhail a-steach barrachd trèanaidh is leasachaidh gus am bi na sgilean aig smàladairean a rèir feumalachdan atharrachail na h-Alba.

“Bheir an t-atharrachadh seo cothrom do chriuthaichean freagairt air fìor chùisean èiginn nas luaithe oir bho àm gu àm thèid innealan-smàlaidh a chur air adhart bho alarm meallta no feumar an cur gu alarm fallsa bho stèisean nas fhaide air falbh.

“A bharrachd air seo, bidh e comasach dhuinn barrachd tìde a chur seachad a’ cumail taic ri àiteachan obrach agus gus bacadh a chur air alarman fallsa le bhith ag obair leis an fheadhainn aig a bheil dleastanas laghail airson sàbhailteachd teine, ar a bheil Luchd-dleastanais.

“Tha sinn airson do bheachdan fhaighinn air na trì roghainnean a tha sinn a’ moladh agus mar sin, nach leugh thu an sgrìobhainn agus nach toir thu dhuinn do bheachd air mar a tha thu a’ smaoineachadh a b’ urrainn dhuinn ar goireasan a chleachdadh gus thu fhèin, do theaghlach agus do choimhearsnachd a chumail nas sàbhailte.”

Dùnaidh a’ cho-chomhairle ann an seachdain, air Diluain 11 Dàmhair. Chaidh na molaidhean a thathar a’ cur air adhart a chruthachadh ann an com-pàirteachas le luchd-obrach agus prìomh luchd-ùidh, cho math ri bhith a’ faighinn tuigse air na diofar fhreagairtean a th’ aig seirbheisean smàlaidh eile san RA mar-thà.

Tha an t-àm ann airson atharrachadh. Tha barrachd fiosrachaidh mun cho-chomhairle, a’ gabhail a-steach na sgrìobhainn agus an t-suirbhidh ri fhaighinn air-loidhne.

Tog do ghuth agus cuidich sinn gus Alba a dhèanamh nas sàbhailte dhuinn uile.