Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Argyll & Bute Performance and Scrutiny Group 2025-26 Q4 Scrutiny Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 June 2026
Back to Community Services Committee — 4 June 2026 and its agenda
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Scrutiny Report 2025-26 Q4 Argyll & Bute Performance and Scrutiny Group Argyll and Bute
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202608/05/26 © 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 2025-26 Q4 Argyll & Bute Performance and Scrutiny Group Argyll and Bute
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2025-26 Q41. Summary 56 Fires 48 150 False Alarms 258 2 1 0 Fire Fatalities 9 2 58 UFAS In this report, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) shows a clear commitment to public safety through its response to a wide range of operational incidents, as outlined above. Domestic home fire safety remains a priority. Fire safety audits and community engagement initiatives continue to be proactive measures that help make your communities safer places to live, work and visit. The overall trend shows consistent management of incidents, with seasonal variations affecting activity levels. Accidental dwelling fires are monitored closely, and work to reduce deliberate fires and non fire incidents continues. The data presented shows a coordinated approach to fire prevention and emergency response. 202608/05/26 © 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 False Alarm (Due to Apparatus) False Alarm (UFAS) Fire (Building) False Alarm (Good Intent) Inter-Agency Fire (Outdoor) Vehicle (Non-fire) Fire (Vehicle) Other Non-Fire Humanitarian 72 58 35 18 18 14 9 7 7 5 Fire Safety AuditsHome Fire Safety Visits Total Incidents (Incl. Incompletes) 69120
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2. Trends Previous 16 quarters (4 years) 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Accidental Dwelling Fires 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 12 19 25 10 10 24 24 11 13 13 17 1616 18 17 20 Deliberate Fires 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 40 9 43 56 22 16 9 812 13 11 18 11 8 16 Non-Domestic Fires 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 5 3 11 3 10 4 9 6 7 8 7 4 6 8 4 4 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 142 58 209 56 7775 6365 6677 150 185 69 6968 168 Road Traffic Collisions 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 20 8 26 2618 13 18 17 13 15 12 9 20 12 19 11
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2. Trends 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Previous 16 quarters (4 years) Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 2 1 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 2 11 0 1 1 0 Non-Fire Casualties 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 27 11 31 13 24 27 21 22 15 18 1514 23 17 1514 Road Traffic Collision Casualties 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 18 5 20 5 10 15 6 6 9 99 8 12 8 9 9 Home Fire Safety Visits 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 239 120 67 198 173 238 221 207 93 102 233 183 149 99 237 202 Fire Safety Audits 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 2025-26 Q1 2025-26 Q2 2025-26 Q3 2025-26 Q4 71 69 151 54 142 67100110 130 138 79 135111 108 103 83
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SFRS is dedicated to reducing accidental dwelling fires in domestic properties across Scotland. This commitment is demonstrated through proactive work, community engagement, and continuous improvement strategies. SFRS uses a range of measures to prevent fires before they start. One key initiative is the Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) programme, where Community Action Teams and Operational Crews visit homes to assess fire risks and provide tailored advice on fire prevention in a domestic setting. These visits often include the installation of smoke and heat alarms, helping to ensure that homes are equipped to detect fires early. During this reporting period, there was a decrease in accidental dwelling fire incidents, from 25 to 19, compared with the previous reporting quarter. 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Accidental Dwelling Fires in this period Extent of Damage Incidents Not applicable 6 Limited to room of origin 5 Limited to floor of origin (not whole building) 3 Limited to item 1st ignited 3 Whole building 2 Source of Ignition (Top 10) Cooking appliance Electricity supply Heating equipment Other appliance or equipment Industrial equipment Naked flame Not known Other Other domestic style appliance Smoking Related 5 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 10 15 20 25 30 19 Incidents by Ward Helensburgh Central Lomond North Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond South Oban North & Lorn Oban South & the Isles Dunoon Isle of Bute 5 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 2025-26 Q43. Accidental Dwelling Fires
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4. Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties Non-Fatal Casualties Fatal Casualties Nature of Injury/Cause of Death Casualties Combination of burns and overcome by gas/smoke 1 We are 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 ongoing efforts to improve fire safety. Through strategic initiatives, community engagement, a data driven approach, and targeted support for vulnerable groups, we strive to make every home in Scotland safer. These efforts not only save lives but also promote a strong culture of fire safety awareness and prevention within our communities. Over this reporting period we see a reduction in accidental dwelling fire casualties from 2 to 1 casualty. 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Casualties by Ward Oban North & Lorn 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 1 2 3 People Rescued by Firefighters Extent of Harm (Non-Fatal) First Aid Given at Scene Hospital Slight Injuries Hospital Serious Injuries 2025-26 Q4 1 0 0 0 0 1
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5. Non-Fire Casualties 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on SFRS responds to a range of non fire related incidents, including road traffic collisions, water rescues, and other specialist operations. These incidents highlight the diverse nature of our work and the vital role we play in supporting public safety beyond traditional fire related emergencies. During this reporting period, two incidents involved fatal casualties who sadly passed away due to out of hospital cardiac arrests. On both occasions, our crews were primarily mobilised to assist the Scottish Ambulance Service. These tragic events underline the importance of continued collaboration with partner agencies to ensure the best possible response during challenging and often life critical situations. Casualties by Ward Oban North & Lorn Helensburgh Central Isle of Bute Lomond North Oban South & the Isles South Kintyre 6 1 1 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 10 20 30 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 Not known 4 Bruising 2 Chest pain / Heart condition / Cardiac arrest 1 Cuts/Lacerations 1 Fracture 1 Other medical condition 1 Other physical injury 1 2025-26 Q4 9 2 2 2 7 0
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6. Deliberate Fires Property Type Incident Refuse 3 Grassland, woodland and crops 2 Non Residential 1 Other outdoors (including land) 1 Outdoor equipment and machinery 1 Road Vehicle 1 We are committed to reducing deliberate fire setting because of the risks it presents to people, property, and the environment. These incidents divert resources away from genuine emergencies. To support this work, we apply the following approaches. Community engagement includes safety awareness sessions delivered in Argyll and Bute schools, aimed at children and young people through prevention focused activities. Partnership working includes close cooperation with Police Scotland, Community Wardens, and local schools. Reporting encourages members of the public to report suspicious behaviour or the accumulation of rubbish. Over this reporting period, there has been a reduction in deliberate fire incidents, decreasing from 11 to 9 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Incidents by Ward Oban South & the Isles Dunoon Helensburgh & Lomond South Kintyre & the Islands Lomond North South Kintyre 4 1 1 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 20 40 9 Deliberate Fires in this period 2025-26 Q4 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
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7. Non-Domestic Fires We are committed to reducing non domestic fires, recognising the significant impact these incidents can have on local businesses, public buildings, and the wider community. Non domestic fires can result in considerable economic loss, disrupt essential services, and pose serious risks to public safety. Our local Fire Safety Enforcement team acts as the enforcing authority for fire safety legislation in non domestic premises. This includes carrying out regular inspections and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations. The enforcement team also provides guidance and education to duty holders, including building owners, managers, and staff, to support compliance with current legislation. Over this reporting period, non domestic fire incidents decreased from 9 to 4. 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Non-Domestic Fires in this period 2025-26 Q4 Top 15 Property Types Property Type Incidents Food and Drink 1 Permanent Agricultural 1 Residential Home 1 3 (100.0%) Accidental Deliberate Incidents by Ward Oban North & Lorn Oban South & the Isles South Kintyre 1 1 1 Extent of Damage Limited to item 1st ignited Not applicable 2 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 5 10 3
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8. Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals are false alarms generated by automatic fire alarm systems. They can be caused by the accidental activation of manual call points, cooking fumes, dust, or poor system maintenance. Each UFAS incident diverts fire crews from genuine emergencies, placing unnecessary demand on resources and increasing the risk of delayed responses to real emergencies. Over this reporting period, we saw a reduction of 12 UFAS incidents compared to the previous reporting quarter. 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals in this period 2025-26 Q4 Top 15 Property Types Property Type Incidents Hotel/motel 28 Hospitals and medical care 8 Residential Home 5 Sheltered Housing - not self contained 4 Other Residential Home 3 Entertainment and culture 2 Industrial Processing 2 Nurses'/Doctors' accommodation 2 Education 1 Hostel (e.g. for homeless people) 1 Laboratory/research Establishment 1 Retail 1 Incidents by Ward Oban South & the Isles Lomond North Isle of Bute Dunoon Mid Argyll Helensburgh Central Oban North & Lorn Kintyre & the Islands Cowal Helensburgh & Lomond South South Kintyre 14 11 9 5 5 4 4 3 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 0 100 200 58
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9. Road Traffic Collisions We are committed to reducing the number of road traffic collisions across Scotland’s road network. We recognise the devastating impact these incidents can have on individuals, families, and local communities. We have implemented a range of strategies and initiatives focused on prevention and effective response. We work closely with Police Scotland and attend the L Division Road Safety Governance Group on a quarterly basis. These meetings bring together key partners to identify new and emerging risks and to coordinate joint road safety approaches across Argyll and Bute. In partnership with Police Scotland, we continue to deliver a series of road safety hub events at our community fire stations in Campbeltown, Oban, Dunoon, and the Lochgilphead Joint Campus. During this reporting period, total incident numbers have reduced from 9 to 8. 202608/05/26 © 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 2025-26 Q4 Incidents by Ward South Kintyre Oban North & Lorn Cowal Kintyre & the Islands Mid Argyll 3 2 1 1 1 Trend by Quarter (4 years) 10 20 30 8 5 0 0 1 4 0 Property Type Incidents Car 6 Bus/coach 1 Lorry/HGV 1 Incident Type Incidents Vehicle (Non-fire) 8
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10. Home Fire Safety Visits 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on 11. Fire Safety Enforcement Job Type Count Audit 69 Short Post Fire Audit 1 Specific Visit 1 SFRS has implemented a new referral pathway for Home Fire Safety Visits to enhance community safety and provide stronger support for vulnerable individuals. The revised HFSV programme takes a targeted approach, focusing on high risk individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria linked to known fire risk factors. We continue to audit non domestic properties to check compliance with fire safety legislation and to identify potential risks. These audits help duty holders maintain appropriate measures to prevent fires and protect people within their premises. Audits by Ward Oban North & Lorn Oban South & the Isles Cowal Mid Argyll Helensburgh Central Dunoon Helensburgh & Lomond South Lomond North South Kintyre 48 7 5 3 2 1 1 1 1 2025-26 Q4 HFSVs by Ward Oban North & Lorn Cowal Helensburgh Central Lomond North Dunoon Oban South & the Isles Helensburgh & Lomond South Isle of Bute Mid Argyll Kintyre & the Islands South Kintyre 20 19 19 15 14 11 8 6 5 2 1 Home Fire Safety Visits 120
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12. Community Safety & Engagement 2026© Scottish Fire & Rescue Service 2025-26 Q4 CPR and Lifesaving Skills Awareness Session on the Isle of Coll Our Community Action Team worked in partnership with the local NHS GP surgery, Heart Start, and the Coastguard to deliver a CPR and lifesaving awareness session on the Isle of Coll. This training is particularly valuable for rural communities and helps give people the confidence and skills to act quickly and effectively in an emergency. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the session. Further sessions will be planned across Argyll and Bute later this year. Operation Ballaton Launch In March we attended the launch of Operation Ballaton, led by Police Scotland. This initiative brings partner agencies together to support safety across Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park including the Argyll Forrest. Through shared planning and joint activity, partners are working together to manage risk and respond effectively. As weather conditions improve and visitor numbers rise, this coordinated approach supports our efforts to protect the public, promote responsible behaviour, and reduce incidents during the busy summer period. Firefighter Experience Modules We continue to work closely with local high schools to further develop and deliver our modular firefighter experience for young people across Argyll and Bute. These modules are delivered by our Community Action Team alongside operational crews, providing young people with practical insight into the role of the fire and rescue service. Participants learn key safety messages and develop valuable CPR awareness skills. Our latest course has commenced in Dunoon, delivered in partnership with Dunoon Grammar School. 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. 202608/05/26 © Scottish Fire & Rescue ServiceReport generated on
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