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Fire services come under attack Fire services shake-up criticised
(about 23 hours later)
A major shake-up of Scotland's fire and rescue services has brought "no clear pattern of improvement", according to a public sector watchdog.A major shake-up of Scotland's fire and rescue services has brought "no clear pattern of improvement", according to a public sector watchdog.
Audit Scotland made the criticisms in its review of the progress of modernising services since legislation in 2005.Audit Scotland made the criticisms in its review of the progress of modernising services since legislation in 2005.
Fire deaths have dropped but the number of incidents attended by firefighters has increased.Fire deaths have dropped but the number of incidents attended by firefighters has increased.
The report did recognise improvements, including greater fire prevention.The report did recognise improvements, including greater fire prevention.
The number of people killed in house fires has fallen from 74 in 2004-05 to 54 in 2005-06.The number of people killed in house fires has fallen from 74 in 2004-05 to 54 in 2005-06.
There is no clear pattern of improvement across Scotland in the first year of change Alastair MacNishChairman of the Accounts Commission There is no clear pattern of improvement across Scotland in the first year of change Alastair MacNishAccounts Commission chairman
However, the report found fire services did not attract enough ethnic minorities. Women were also found to account for less than 4% of firefighters. Officials found deficiencies in the operation of fire services.
Officials also found deficiencies in the operation of fire services. They said that councillors deferred too much to senior officers, were too little involved in setting strategic direction and did not meet a legal duty to strive for "best value". They said that councillors deferred too much to senior officers, were too little involved in setting strategic direction and did not meet a legal duty to strive for "best value".
The report found fire services did not attract enough ethnic minorities. Women were also found to account for less than 4% of firefighters.
Alastair MacNish, chairman of the Accounts Commission, said: "Fire and rescue authorities are putting more effort into the prevention of fires and there is some early evidence that home fire safety visits and partnership initiatives have helped to reduce the number of people killed in domestic fires.Alastair MacNish, chairman of the Accounts Commission, said: "Fire and rescue authorities are putting more effort into the prevention of fires and there is some early evidence that home fire safety visits and partnership initiatives have helped to reduce the number of people killed in domestic fires.
"However, there is no clear pattern of improvement across Scotland in the first year of change.""However, there is no clear pattern of improvement across Scotland in the first year of change."
Two years ago, after a wave of strike action, fire and rescue workers received a pay and conditions deal linked to reforms meant to bring in a more targeted approach to preventing and dealing with emergencies. Two years ago, after a wave of strike action, fire and rescue workers received a pay and conditions deal linked to reforms intended to bring in a more targeted approach to preventing and dealing with emergencies.
The Scottish Executive provided £47m over two years for the scheme and Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) have started making efficiency gains to cover these costs from next year.The Scottish Executive provided £47m over two years for the scheme and Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) have started making efficiency gains to cover these costs from next year.