Chief Officer welcomes helicopter announcement by Scottish Government

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Officer Stuart Stevens welcomed the announcement that SFRS will be able to put helicopter resources on standby when there is an increased risk of significant wildfires.

He said: "This new measure will ensure that aerial assets can be immediately mobilised as part of any firefighting operation in the event of a wildfire incident.

“Helicopters are used to strengthen our wildfire response capabilities, particularly when faced with difficult or inaccessible terrain and to manage risk critical safety considerations given these are very dynamic, dangerous and unpredictable events.

"This new process is an important step in our ongoing work to strengthen how we respond to wildfires.

"Whilst this is a welcome enhancement to our response capability, given the risk to life, property, infrastructure and the natural environment, I believe Scotland should now consider a more formal and proportionate fire safety regime for wildfire prevention and preparedness.”

Helicopters provide water bombing capabilities at wildfire incidents.

When there is an increased risk of wildfire, SFRS will issue a wildfire danger assessment via its social media channels and website.

Since the launch of its Wildfire Strategy in 2023, SFRS has invested around £1.6 million in strengthening Scotland's wildfire response capability. Specialist equipment and firefighters trained in advanced techniques are available at 37 community fire stations across Scotland as national assets that can be mobilised to where they are needed most. It is the intention of SFRS to continue to roll out an expansion of this process to further fire stations and personnel.