Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Argyll & Bute Performance and Scrutiny Group 2024-25 Q4 Scrutiny Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 June 2025
Back to Community Services Committee — 5 June 2025 and its agenda
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Scrutiny Report 2024-25 Q4 Argyll & Bute Performance and Scrutiny Group Argyll and Bute
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Summary Trends Accidental Dwelling Fires (ADFs) Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties Non-Fire Casualties Deliberate Fires Non-Domestic Fires Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) Fire Safety Enforcement Community Safety & Engagement Glossary of Terms Contents Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 About the statistics within this report The activity totals and other statistics quoted within this report are published in the interests of transparency and openness. They are provisional in nature and subject to change as a result of ongoing quality assurance and review. Because all statistics quoted are provisional there may be a difference in the period totals quoted in our reports after local publication which result from revisions or additions to the data in our systems. The Scottish Government publishes official statistics each year which allow for comparisons to be made over longer periods of time. 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Scrutiny Report 2024-25 Q4 Argyll & Bute Performance and Scrutiny Group Argyll and Bute
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1. Summary 72 Fires 90 180 False Alarms 342 20 1 0 Fire Fatalities 8 5 66 UFAS 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Non-Fire Incidents People Rescued by Firefighters People Receiving First Aid or Hospital Treatment (Non-Fire) People Receiving First Aid or Hospital Treatment (Fires) Non-Fire Fatalities Top 10 Incident Types False Alarm (Due to Apparatus) False Alarm (UFAS) False Alarm (Good Intent) Fire (Building) Inter-Agency Fire (Outdoor) Vehicle (Non-fire) Other Non-Fire Humanitarian Securing Scene 73 66 41 40 38 27 17 12 9 9 2024-25 Q4 81 Fire Safety Audits 62 Home Fire Safety Visits Total Incidents (Incl. Incompletes) In this report, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service(SFRS) has demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety. We attended a range of operational incidents, which are detailed above. Home Fire Safety Visits(HFSV) continue to be a priority, and we conducted 62 visits over this recording period. Details of our new HFSV referral pathway are included in section 12 of the report. Fire safety audits and community engagement initiatives remain proactive measures, ensuring our communities are safer places to work, live, and visit. The overall trend in this report reflects a steady management of all incidents, with fluctuations reflecting seasonal variations. Accidental dwelling fires are well monitored, while the service also continues to focus on reducing deliberate fires and non-fire incidents. The data provided highlights a well coordinated approach to fire prevention and emergency response.
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2. Trends 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Accidental Dwelling Fires 2021-22 Q1 2021-22 Q2 2021-22 Q3 2021-22 Q4 2022-23 Q1 2022-23 Q2 2022-23 Q3 2022-23 Q4 2023-24 Q1 2023-24 Q2 2023-24 Q3 2023-24 Q4 2024-25 Q1 2024-25 Q2 2024-25 Q3 2024-25 Q4 18 16 24 10 10 24 22 13 13 17 17 16 18 12 18 20 Deliberate Fires 2021-22 Q1 2021-22 Q2 2021-22 Q3 2021-22 Q4 2022-23 Q1 2022-23 Q2 2022-23 Q3 2022-23 Q4 2023-24 Q1 2023-24 Q2 2023-24 Q3 2023-24 Q4 2024-25 Q1 2024-25 Q2 2024-25 Q3 2024-25 Q4 57 13 5 11 40 6 22 16 9 812 25 21 18 11 8 Non-Domestic Fires 2021-22 Q1 2021-22 Q2 2021-22 Q3 2021-22 Q4 2022-23 Q1 2022-23 Q2 2022-23 Q3 2022-23 Q4 2023-24 Q1 2023-24 Q2 2023-24 Q3 2023-24 Q4 2024-25 Q1 2024-25 Q2 2024-25 Q3 2024-25 Q4 10 11 2 3 10 10 4 7 67 8 7 5 6 8 4 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 2021-22 Q1 2021-22 Q2 2021-22 Q3 2021-22 Q4 2022-23 Q1 2022-23 Q2 2022-23 Q3 2022-23 Q4 2023-24 Q1 2023-24 Q2 2023-24 Q3 2023-24 Q4 2024-25 Q1 2024-25 Q2 2024-25 Q3 2024-25 Q4 118 66 209 56 189 142 75 6577 150147 158 185 6968 168 Road Traffic Collisions 2021-22 Q1 2021-22 Q2 2021-22 Q3 2021-22 Q4 2022-23 Q1 2022-23 Q2 2022-23 Q3 2022-23 Q4 2023-24 Q1 2023-24 Q2 2023-24 Q3 2023-24 Q4 2024-25 Q1 2024-25 Q2 2024-25 Q3 2024-25 Q4 11 16 25 8 23 12 18 11 18 12 13 15 19 12 18 13 Previous 16 quarters (4 years)
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3. Accidental Dwelling Fires Extent of Damage Incidents Not applicable 11 Limited to item 1st ignited 2 Limited to room of origin 2 Limited to floor of origin (not whole building) 1 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Source of Ignition (Top 10) Cooking appliance Heating equipment Other domestic style appliance Electric Lighting Not known Other Other appliance or equipment 8 2 2 1 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 10 15 20 16 Accidental Dwelling Fires in this period 2024-25 Q4 Incidents by Ward Isle of Bute Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond South Helensburgh Central Lomond North Oban South & the Isles Dunoon Kintyre & the Islands Mid Argyll 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 SFRS employs a range of proactive measures to prevent fires before they start. One of their key initiatives is the HFSV program, where Community Action Teams(CAT) and Operational Crews visit homes to assess fire risks and provide tailored advice on fire prevention. These visits often include the installation of smoke alarms and heat detectors to comply with Scottish Government legislation thus ensuring that homes are equipped to detect fires early. Over this quarterly reporting period we seen a slight increase in accidental dwelling fires across Argyll and Bute from 13 to 16 which we will continue to monitor. SFRS is dedicated to reducing accidental dwelling fires in domestic properties across Scotland. This commitment is evident through our proactive measures, community engagement, and continuous improvement strategies.
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4. Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties Non-Fatal Casualties 1 Fatal Casualties 0 Nature of Injury/Cause of Death Casualties Overcome by gas, smoke or toxic fumes; asphyxiation 1 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Casualties by Ward Helensburgh Central 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 2 4 1 People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) 0 1 First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries 0 Hospital Serious Injuries 2024-25 Q4 SFRS is committed to reducing accidental dwelling fire casualties across all communities in Scotland. This dedication is reflected in our comprehensive reduction strategies, community focused initiatives, and continuous efforts to improve fire safety. Through strategic initiatives, community engagement, a data-driven approach, support for vulnerable groups, and continuous improvement, we strive to make every home in Scotland safer. Our efforts not only save lives but also foster a culture of fire safety awareness and prevention within our communities. Over this reporting period the numbers remain low, we attended one incident with a casualty requiring hospital treatment. There were no fatal accidental dwelling casualties reported over this quarter.
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5. Non-Fire Casualties 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Casualties by Ward Kintyre & the Islands Oban North & Lorn South Kintyre Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond South Isle of Bute Lomond North Oban South & the Isles 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 10 20 30 40 Non-Fatal Casualties 8 Fatal Casualties 5 19 People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) 0 5 First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries 3 Hospital Serious Injuries Nature of Injury/Cause of Death Casualties Back / Neck injury (spinal) 4 Chest pain / Heart condition / Cardiac arrest 3 Other 2 Fracture 1 Hypothermia 1 Not known 1 Other physical injury 1 2024-25 Q4 During this reporting period, we responded to a range of non-fire related incidents. This can include incidents such as road traffic collisions, water rescues, and other specialist operations. Tragically, we attended five incidents that involved fatal casualties. All of these incidents were non-fire related. Our crews were mobilised primarily to support partner agencies such as Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The majority of these responses were incidents involving to out of hospital cardiac arrests, with one fatal road traffic collision occurring in Campbeltown. This is also captured in section 9 of this report.
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6. Deliberate Fires Property Type Incident Refuse 4 Dwelling 2 Grassland, woodland and crops 2 Non Residential 2 Other outdoors (including land) 2 Road Vehicle 1 Hour of Day 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Incidents by Ward Helensburgh & Lomond South Kintyre & the Islands Helensburgh Central Isle of Bute Cowal Dunoon Oban South & the Isles 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 20 40 60 13 Deliberate Fires in this period 2024-25 Q4 We are committed to reducing deliberate fire setting, recognising the significant dangers it poses to communities and the environment. Deliberate fires can endanger lives, cause property damage, and divert valuable resources away from genuine emergencies. We have several strategies to reduce this type of incident including: Community Engagement: We actively engage with communities to raise awareness about the risks and consequences of deliberate fire setting. This includes educational programs aimed at children and young people across Argyll and Bute schools. Collaboration with Partners: We collaborate with various partners, including Police Scotland, Community Wardens and with local schools. Reporting and Prevention: We encourage the public to report any suspicious activities or build up of rubbish that could potentially be set on fire. Over this reporting period we continue to see a reduction over the 4 year trend highlighted in the graph above.
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7. Non-Domestic Fires Top 15 Property Types Property Type Incidents Hospitals and medical care 3 Hotel/motel 2 Retail 2 Education 1 Industrial Manufacturing 1 Offices and call centres 1 Permanent Agricultural 1 (81.8%) 2 (18.2%) 9 Accidental Deliberate 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Incidents by Ward Lomond North Oban South & the Isles Kintyre & the Islands Helensburgh Central Mid Argyll South Kintyre 3 3 2 1 1 1 Extent of Damage Not applicable Limited to item 1st ignited Limited to room of origin 8 2 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 5 10 11 Non-Domestic Fires in this period 2024-25 Q4 We are dedicated to reducing non-domestic fires, recognising the significant impact these incidents can have on businesses, public buildings, and the wider community in Argyll and Bute. Non-domestic fires can lead to substantial economic losses, disrupt services, and pose serious risks to public safety. Our local Fire Safety Enforcement(FSE) team acts as an enforcing authority for fire safety legislation in non-domestic premises. This includes regular inspections and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations. Our enforcement team is also there to provide support and education to duty holders, including building owners, managers, and staff, to help them comply with current legislation. Over this recording period we seen an increase in Non-Domestic fires from 7 to 11. Our FSE team will continue to monitor and take appropriate audit inspections if required.
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8. Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals Top 15 Property Types Property Type Incidents Hotel/motel 13 Residential Home 13 Hospitals and medical care 12 Sheltered Housing - not self contained 5 Boarding House/B&B other 4 Nurses'/Doctors' accommodation 4 Other Residential Home 4 Education 2 Offices and call centres 2 Other holiday residence (cottage, flat, chalet) 2 Retail 2 Entertainment and culture 1 Laboratory/research Establishment 1 Youth hostel 1 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Incidents by Ward Oban South & the Isles Mid Argyll Isle of Bute Lomond North Helensburgh Central Oban North & Lorn South Kintyre Cowal Dunoon Kintyre & the Islands 13 12 9 9 8 6 4 3 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 100 200 66 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals in this period 2024-25 Q4 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals are false alarms triggered by automatic fire alarm systems. These false alarms can be caused by various factors, including break of manual call points, cooking fumes, dust, or lack of maintenance. UFAS incidents divert fire crews from genuine emergencies, leading to unnecessary costs and potential delays in response to real fires. Since the implementation of our revised policy, we continue to see a reduction in this type of incident, which is again highlighted in this report. SFRS introduced a new policy in 2023 aimed at significantly reducing Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS). This policy is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance community safety and improving the use of resources across Argyll and Bute.
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9. Road Traffic Collisions 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Incidents by Ward Oban North & Lorn Kintyre & the Islands Cowal Helensburgh Central South Kintyre Dunoon Lomond North Mid Argyll 5 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 15 20 25 17 Road Traffic Collisions in this period Non-Fatal Casualties 4 Fatal Casualties 1 7 People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) 0 3 First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries 1 Hospital Serious Injuries Property Type Incidents Car 12 Multiple Vehicles 3 Lorry/HGV 1 Van 1 2024-25 Q4 Incident Type Incidents Vehicle (Non-fire) 16 Other Non-Fire 1 The SFRS is committed to reducing the number of Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) across Scotlands road network. We recognise the devastating impact these incidents can have on individuals, families and communities. We have implemented a range of strategies and initiatives aimed at prevention and effective response. We work closely with Police Scotland and attend the 'L' Division Road Safety Governance group on a quarterly basis. This meeting allows key stakeholders to identify new and existing risks and coordinate joint road safety strategies across Argyll and Bute. In this report we seen a decrease in RTC incidents from 25 to 17, however, one incident in January sadly resulted in a fatal casualty in the Campbeltown area.
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10. Home Fire Safety Visits 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on 11. Fire Safety Enforcement Job Type Count Audit 81 Short Post Fire Audit 3 Consultation 1 Audits by Ward Oban North & Lorn Oban South & the Isles Cowal Kintyre & the Islands Dunoon Helensburgh Central Mid Argyll South Kintyre 44 15 12 3 2 2 2 1 2024-25 Q4 HFSVs by Ward Helensburgh Central Cowal Dunoon Isle of Bute Lomond North Oban North & Lorn Oban South & the Isles Helensburgh & Lomond South Kintyre & the Islands Mid Argyll South Kintyre 19 7 7 6 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 Home Fire Safety Visits 62 High Risk HFSVs 33 Partner Referral HFSVs 23 The SFRS has recently introduced a new referral pathway for HFSVs, aiming to enhance community safety and better support vulnerable individuals. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to reduce fire risks and improve overall safety in homes across Scotland. The revised HFSV programme focuses on a more targeted approach, prioritising high risk individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria. These criteria are based on extensive research into factors that increase the risk of fire fatalities. The goal is to ensure that those most vulnerable receive the necessary support and intervention to prevent fire incidents.
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12. Community Safety & Engagement 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on 2024-25 Q4 Doddie Aid Challenge 2025 In February, our Area Management Team and operational staff participated in the Doddie Aid 2025 challenge, a 700-mile cycling event across Scotland to raise funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. The team embarked on a journey from Stranraer to Edinburgh via Aberdeenshire, aiming to arrive in time for the Scotland vs. Ireland Six Nations match on the 9th February. Their efforts raised over £17500 supporting vital research and awareness for Motor Neuron Disease (MND), continuing the legacy of rugby legend Doddie Weir. The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation was established by rugby legend Doddie Weir in 2017 following his diagnosis with MND.The foundation is dedicated to funding research to find a cure for MND, supporting those affected by the disease, and raising awareness to educate the public. To date this years teams have raised just under 1 million pounds for the foundation. Wildfire Education Home Fire Safety Visits On February 12th, we launched a new referral process for Home Fire Safety Visits. This update aims to better target high risk individuals, streamline referrals with a new digital system, and enhance data sharing through a Data Sharing Framework (DSF). SFRS is also providing training and support to partner organisations to ensure effective use of the new system. These changes reflect SFRS's commitment to improving fire safety and reducing fire related incidents across Scotland. For further information please contact: W.EWDABCommunitySafety@firescotland.gov.uk Although not in this reporting period we'd also like to highlight the work our CAT and operational crews have been doing in relation to wildfire education in schools and within the local community in Argyll and Bute. Working closely with education, where we have delivered wildfire awareness/ASB sessions. We have also been engaging with members of the public and local land owners to highlight the dangers such incidents can cause to local communities. Education Over this quarter, our Community Action Team (CAT) supported various engagements in Argyll and Butes secondary schools. This included delivering Water Safety Scotland's Ice Safety Workshop to help keep children safe near frozen bodies of water, as well as attending career events in the councils secondary schools. The CAT also held an Emergency Service's workshop at Tobermory High to highlight the vital services our partners offer rural communities. Thanks to staff, pupils and partners who attended the event including SFRS, Police Scotland, HM Coastguard, RNLI and Scottish Ambulance Service.
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13. Glossary of Terms Term - What it means ADF Accidental Dwelling Fire. HFSV Home Fire Safety Visit. PDIR Post Domestic Incident Response, a term used to indicate actions taken following attendance at a fire or other incident in the home. PDIRs include amongst things the offer of a free follow up home fire safety visit. RTC Road Traffic Collision. Special Service Calls to incidents which are not fires or false alarms such as RTCs, rescues, flooding, incidents involving hazardous materials or the provision of assistance to other agencies. UFAS Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals. When an automatic fire detection and alarm system is activated as a result of anything other than an actual fire the activation is classed as a false alarm. If an attendance is made to such an event by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, then the event is recorded as an UFAS incident. UFAS Policy Change In response to COVID, on the 6th May 2020, the SFRS decided to send 1 pump to UFAS premises that did not have their own Predetermined attendance (PDA). As of 1st July 2023, the COVID interim 1 pump response was ended and a new UFAS policy was implemented. The new policy is to call challenge all UFAS incidents with the intention of non-attendance. Hospitals, care homes, and sleeping risk premises are all exempt and receive either 2 pumps or their premise specific PDA. 202512/05/25 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on
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Design, figures and charts by the Business Intelligence team.