By Katherine Trail

NEW FIRE legislation that puts fire prevention first has been welcomed by a fire safety officer with Tayside Fire and Rescue Service.

The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force yesterday with the goal of reducing the high levels of fire deaths in Scotland.

It replaces legislation nearly 60 years old and sets out how a modern fire and rescue service should operate in the 21st century.

Tayside Fire and Rescue community fire officer Frank Wallace said the focus was being shifted to educating people about fire safety. He said, “Fire and rescue services in Scotland are becoming more pro-active. The role of firefighters has changed over the years, and we have recently changed our name to Tayside Fire and Rescue.

“We are now doing a lot more work on educating people about fire safety, through places such as schools and businesses.

“One key area of the new legislation is about risk assessment. In the past, businesses relied on fire officers coming in and doing their fire risk assessment for them. The onus is now on businesses to start making their own risk assessments and keep up continuing standards of fire safety.

“At the end of the day, it’s bad for the economy if a local business burns down—loss of services and jobs. We are working with Dundee City Council to provide education on all issues to do with fire safety.”

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said, “Too many Scots are killed or injured in fires. The key to addressing that grim fact is to turn the service's focus increasingly on to fire prevention as well as fire fighting. That is why we placed fire prevention at the heart of the new Act. I am confident it will lay the foundations for delivering a modern service in Scotland.

On investment, he said, “We already provide greater core funding per head than England and Wales. From 2003-2006 the service's share of local authority funding will increase by over £29 million. We will also look at ensuring every possible pound is spent on tackling and preventing fire.

“We will set out national priorities and a strategic framework for the Fire and Rescue Service and will lay that before Parliament. We will also consult on draft fire safety regulations soon. It's vital we continue to create a modern Fire and Rescue Service for 21st Century Scotland.”

The Fire (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on February 23 and Royal Assent received on April 1.