Item 7b - SFRS Scrutiny Report Q1
West Dunbartonshire Council · 12 August 2026
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 12 August 2026 and its agenda
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Scrutiny Report 2026-27 Q1 West Dunbartonshire Performance and Scrutiny Group West Dunbartonshire ITEM 7b
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202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on 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. 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Contents Scrutiny Report 2026-27 Q1 West Dunbartonshire Performance and Scrutiny Group West Dunbartonshire
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2026-27 Q11. Summary 136 Fires 70 95 False Alarms 319 16 0 0 Fire Fatalities 4 1 26 UFAS 202629/07/26 © 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 Fire (Outdoor) Fire (Building) False Alarm (Due to Apparatus) False Alarm (Good Intent) Inter-Agency False Alarm (UFAS) Incomplete (Incomplete) Humanitarian Fire (Vehicle) Flooding / Water Rescue 92 33 32 32 29 26 18 16 11 10 Fire Safety AuditsHome Fire Safety Visits Total Incidents (Incl. Incompletes) 26101 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 101 visits over this recording period. 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 Previous 16 quarters (4 years) 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Accidental Dwelling Fires 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 26 24 34 16 33 18 23 33 29 19 2929 26 29 19 31 Deliberate Fires 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 94 93 182 30 178 45 7471 84 65 87 49 8090 56 81 Non-Domestic Fires 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 6 3 11 0 7 4 10 9 4 6 8 5 6 7 7 5 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 101 26 136 25 52 46 31 28 29 51 101 34 35 29 42 108 Road Traffic Collisions 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 7 5 12 2 9 10 4 5 78 7 6 8 7 8 6
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2. Trends 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Previous 16 quarters (4 years) Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 2 0 9 0 2 6 2 3 1 6 2 1 2 2 0 4 Non-Fire Casualties 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 6 5 14 3 3 6 87 14 4 4 6 10 14 6 3 Road Traffic Collision Casualties 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 3 0 9 0 0 6 1 3 11 3 2 4 1 2 5 Home Fire Safety Visits 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 199 101 264 71 239 203 260 220 107 73 106 227 229 213 83 224 Fire Safety Audits 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2026-27 Q1 1 26 46 19 3735 1617 21 23 18 23 22 36 11 37
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202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Accidental Dwelling Fires in this period Extent of Damage Incidents Limited to item 1st ignited 12 Not applicable 9 Limited to room of origin 3 Source of Ignition (Top 10) Cooking appliance Other domestic style appliance Electricity supply Not known Other Other appliance or equipment 12 5 4 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 15 20 25 30 35 24 Incidents by Ward Kilpatrick Clydebank Central Leven Dumbarton Clydebank Waterfront 7 5 5 4 3 2026-27 Q13. Accidental Dwelling Fires 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. 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 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 see an increase in accidental dwelling fires across West Dunbartonshire by 8 from the previous quarter, but a decrease of 5 for Q1 year on year.
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4. Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties Non-Fatal Casualties Fatal Casualties Nature of Injury/Cause of Death Casualties 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Casualties by Ward Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 5 10 People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries Hospital Serious Injuries 2026-27 Q1 0 0 0 0 0 0 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 number of accidental dwelling fire casualties has decreased by 2 from the previous quarter. While the year on year comparison also sees a drop from 2 to 0 There were no fatal dwelling fire casualties over this recording period.
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5. Non-Fire Casualties 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Casualties by Ward Lomond Clydebank Waterfront Dumbarton 3 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 5 10 Non-Fatal Casualties Fatal Casualties People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries Hospital Serious Injuries Nature of Injury/Cause of Death Casualties Chest pain / Heart condition / Cardiac arrest 2 Bruising 1 Collapse 1 Cuts/Lacerations 1 2026-27 Q1 4 1 16 0 3 1 Non- fire casualties encompass all other incidents we attend, including road traffic collisions, water rescues, and other specialist type incidents that do not involve fire. Over this recording period we have seen the number of non-fire casualties decrease from 14 to 5, with a slight increase from 3 to 5 for Q1 year on year, which we will continue to actively monitor. Unfortunately, we have recorded 1 fatal, non-fire casualty in this period, a decrease from 2 in previous quarter. These are incidents where SFRS responds to assist agencies, such as Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance.
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6. Deliberate Fires Property Type Incident Refuse 41 Grassland, woodland and crops 36 Road Vehicle 5 Dwelling 4 Non Residential 2 Other outdoors (including land) 2 Other Residential 1 Outdoor equipment and machinery 1 Outdoor structures 1 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Incidents by Ward Leven Clydebank Waterfront Dumbarton Kilpatrick Clydebank Central Lomond 25 19 17 14 10 8 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 50 100 150 200 93 Deliberate Fires in this period 2026-27 Q1 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 We are committed to reducing deliberate fire setting and recognise 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 in West Dunbartonshire 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 there was an increase in deliberate fires from 74 to 93. The year on year comparison for Q1 is a reduction of 89.
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7. Non-Domestic Fires 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Non-Domestic Fires in this period 2026-27 Q1 Top 15 Property Types Property Type Incidents Religious 2 Residential Home 1 2 (66.7%) (33.3%) 1 Deliberate Accidental Incidents by Ward Clydebank Waterfront Dumbarton 2 1 Extent of Damage Not applicable Limited to item 1st ignited 2 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 5 10 3 We are dedicated to reducing non-domestic fires, recognising the significant impact these incidents can have on businesses, public buildings, and the wider community. Non-domestic fires can lead to substantial economic losses, disrupt services, and pose serious risks to public safety. Our local fire safety enforcement 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 have a decrease in Non-Domestic fires from 11 to 3, which we will continue to monitor. There is also a decrease from 5 to 3 for Q1 year on year.
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8. Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals in this period 2026-27 Q1 Top 15 Property Types Property Type Incidents Hospitals and medical care 8 Residential Home 8 Sheltered Housing - not self contained 4 Hotel/motel 3 Boarding House/B&B other 1 Industrial Manufacturing 1 Offices and call centres 1 Incidents by Ward Clydebank Waterfront Dumbarton Kilpatrick Lomond Clydebank Central Leven 10 4 4 4 2 2 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 50 100 26 SFRS introduced a new policy in 2023 aimed at significantly reducing Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS). This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance community safety and optimise the use of resources. Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals are false alarms triggered by automatic fire alarm systems. These false alarms can be caused by various factors, including 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 have seen a trend of steady reduction in this type of incident. In this reporting period we have recorded a slightt decrease from previous quarter, from 29 to 26. Q1 Year on year comparison shows a reduction from 46 to 26.
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9. Road Traffic Collisions 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Road Traffic Collisions in this period Non-Fatal Casualties Fatal Casualties People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries Hospital Serious Injuries 2026-27 Q1 Incidents by Ward Dumbarton Clydebank Central Leven Lomond 2 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 5 10 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 Property Type Incidents Car 4 Motorcycle 1 Incident Type Incidents Vehicle (Non-fire) 5 The SFRS is committed to reducing the number of Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) across Scotland. Recognising 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 stakeholders to identify new and existing risks and coordinate road safety strategies across West Dunbartonshire. We have a reduction in RTCs over this recording period from 6 to 5 incidents, which we will continue to monitor. Q1 year on year comparison shows no change at 5 incidents.
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10. Home Fire Safety Visits 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on 11. Fire Safety Enforcement Job Type Count Audit 26 Consultation 2 Short Post Fire Audit 2 Specific Visit 1 Audits by Ward Clydebank Central Kilpatrick Lomond Clydebank Waterfront Dumbarton Leven 7 6 5 4 2 2 2026-27 Q1 HFSVs by Ward Clydebank Waterfront Clydebank Central Dumbarton Leven Kilpatrick Lomond 25 20 18 17 11 10 Home Fire Safety Visits 101 The SFRS referral pathway for HFSVs, aims 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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202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on 2026-27 Q112. Community Safety & Engagement Community Safety Campaigns/ Safety Messaging Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Initiative In partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council, SFRS Community Action Team (CAT) supported the expansion of a high-rise lithium-ion battery safety campaign across 19 residential high-rise buildings. Information posters, adapted safety leaflets and direct engagement with tenants and caretakers helped raise awareness of safe battery charging, storage and maintenance practices, with the initiative potentially reaching 870 households and over 1,000 residents. Lomond Shores Open Water Swimming Programme CSA Cox and WC Spence supported sessions delivered by West Dunbartonshire Leisure and Scottish Swimming, providing water safety education, survival advice and risk awareness to local school pupils. "Firefighter for a Day" Engagement Sessions (ASN Schools) Community Crew Commander Stewart Henderson and Clydebank operational crews delivered two Firefighter for a Day programmes, engaging with 9 young people from ASN schools; 4 pupils from Choices School Dumbarton (April) and 5 pupils from Kilpatrick School (May). Home Fire Safety Visit We launched a new referral process for Home Fire Safety Visits, designed to better identify and support individuals at higher risk. This update introduces a streamlined digital referral system and improves collaboration through a new data sharing framework. The final phase for partner access will be available soon, with further updates to follow. To support the roll out, SFRS will be providing ongoing training and guidance to partner organisations, ensuring they can use the new system effectively. These improvements reflect our continued commitment to enhancing fire safety and reducing fire related incidents across Scotland.
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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. 202629/07/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on
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