 The dispute was resolved in June |
Plans to reform the fire service in Scotland for the first time in 50 years have been outlined by the justice minister. Cathy Jamieson said the Fire Services Bill could modernise the service and give it a statutory role in dealing with fires, road accidents, chemical spillages and rescues.
She also said it could draw a line under the recent firefighters' pay dispute.
A consultation paper on the new bill will be published by the Scottish Executive in a few weeks and could become law by the end of the year.
Addressing fire chiefs at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow, Ms Jamieson said the past year had been "a challenging time". She said: "The recent fire dispute was very damaging for all the parties involved.
"I hope we can now move forward and build public confidence in a modernised service."
The bill's recommendations include:
- fire authorities given greater responsibility on fire prevention and community safety work
- the fire service given an enhanced role in fire investigation work
- reforming workplace fire precautions
- a duty on fire authorities to produce integrated risk management plans
- de-centralise fire service policy decision making.
Ms Jamieson told delegates there was "considerable consensus" over the proposals.
She said: "The role of the fire service has changed and evolved over the years.
 The bill could become law by the end of the year |
"We all know it is not just about putting out fires but as yet there is no statutory basis for its dealing with road traffic accidents, chemical spillages, rescues and other work."
Kenny Ross, of the Strathclyde Fire Brigades' Union, told BBC News Online Scotland it was "quite happy" with the proposals on fire prevention and community safety work.
But he said members were "very concerned" that the integrated risk management plans could ultimately lead to job cuts to meet financial savings.
Mr Ross said the FBU wanted consistency across all fire brigades in Scotland and believed that a national standards programme should be in place to ensure standards did not drop.
Fire chiefs from across the UK are attending the three-day event at Glasgow's SECC.
The long-running fire dispute ended in June with agreement on a 16% pay increase.
Firefighters voted three to one in favour of the deal at a special union conference in Glasgow.
It had been agreed by the union executive in May.
Firefighters received a gradual increase in their pay packets and by next summer the average wage will be �25,000.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
The role of the fire service has changed and evolved over the years 
