What we do

HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFSI) exists to provide independent, risk-based and proportionate professional inspection of the SFRS. Our purpose is to give assurance to the public and to Scottish Ministers that the SFRS is working in an efficient and effective way, and to promote continuous improvement. We also provide independent, professional advice to Scottish Ministers and have functions in relation to non-domestic fire safety.

The statutory basis for the Inspectorate is derived from sections 43A to 43G of the Act. HM Chief Inspector is appointed by an Order in Council and operates independently of Scottish Ministers and the SFRS. Assistant Inspectors are appointed under Ministerial powers contained in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, and are equally expected to act independently.

Sharing expertise

We have a statutory duty to co-operate and co-ordinate with the Auditor General. Our complementary relationship  is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding with Audit Scotland, and with other Inspectorates and agencies across the public sector to share specific expertise or, where appropriate, jointly examine important areas where the SFRS works in partnership and contributes to shared outcomes. HMFSI and Audit Scotland are members of the Strategic Scrutiny Group (SSG) which is chaired by the Accounts Commission. The SSG is comprised of Scotland’s main public sector scrutiny bodies, and seeks to support the delivery of better coordinated, more proportionate and risk-based scrutiny, predominately at a local authority level. We co-ordinate our activities to reduce the burden of inspection and avoid unnecessary duplication.