Highlands and Islands fire inquiry ordered

The Scottish Government has commissioned HM chief inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities to conduct an inquiry into progress made by Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service in addressing recommendations made by the Accounts Commission.

The inquiry, by Steven Torrie, has been ordered by the minister for community safety and legal affairs, Roseanna Cunningham, after a Best Value report, published by the Accounts Commission in March 2012, listed a number of serious concerns and highlighted an urgent need for the service to establish an effective and sustainable service model which reflects the needs of the area.

While the Scottish Government is aware progress has been made to address these concerns, led by the Highlands and Islands Fire Board, ministers have ordered the inquiry to establish the extent of that progress and to identify what remains for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to address when it commences on April 1, 2013.