COMMUNITIES in Clackmannanshire are being urged to make their voice heard as the fire service considers changes to the location of stations and crew.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has launched an online survey on what the emergency service should look like in the future.

SFRS must adapt to meet the risks of climate change while addressing significant issues across its ageing estate.

That is the message from one of the country's most senior fire officers, who is asking communities across the country to respond to the survey.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Andy Girrity, head of service delivery for the east of Scotland, said: “We want to be a modern service that is ready for the challenges of Scotland’s future.

“To achieve this, there are changes that we must consider. Scotland has changed and so must its fire and rescue service. 

“For example, we have spent a long time analysing the changing community risk across the country and we know some of our stations and appliances are located based on historical risk, such as heavy industry that no longer exists.

“As a national emergency service, we must ensure we have the right resources, in the right place, at the right time.”

DACO Girrity warned that some fire stations across Scotland have been deemed “not fit for purpose” and require urgent investment to make them safer and more suitable. 

This includes 14 stations with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) panel issues, however, neither of those are in the Wee County.

Almost half of fire stations have been deemed in "poor or bad" condition while two-thirds of the total SFRS estate across Scotland is more than 30 years old.

Meanwhile, house fires have decreased by almost half in the past two decades.

While fires overall have decreased, the service attends an increasing number of other incidents such as flooding, road traffic collisions and other rescues.

Since 2018, there have been eight wildfires that lasted more than five days, however, while flooding risks have increased steadily over the past decade.

DACO Girrity added: “We are calling on people across the country to share their feedback and tell us what you want from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. 

“We know we can do more to keep Scotland safe. We want to focus on prevention to make communities safer so we can reduce demand on both us and other public services. 

“For example, we want to develop the role of our firefighters to take on more prevention work in our communities or support partners with emergency response activities, however this would require investment.”

Visit tinyurl.com/5fbv54bv for the survey.