Part 2Fire and rescue services

Chapter 2Principal fire and rescue functions

8Fire safety

(1)

Each relevant authority shall make provision for the purpose of promoting fire safety in its area.

(2)

In making provision under subsection (1) a relevant authority shall in particular, to the extent that the authority considers it reasonable to do so, make arrangements for—

(a)

the provision of information, publicity and encouragement in respect of the steps to be taken to prevent—

(i)

fires; and

(ii)

death or injury by fire;

(b)

the giving of advice, on request, about—

(i)

how to prevent fires and restrict their spread in buildings and other property; and

(ii)

the means of escape from buildings and other property in the event of fire.

9Fire-fighting

(1)

Each relevant authority shall make provision for the purpose of—

(a)

extinguishing fires in its area; and

(b)

protecting life and property in the event of fires in its area.

(2)

In making provision under subsection (1) a relevant authority shall in particular—

(a)

secure the provision of the personnel, services and equipment necessary to meet efficiently all normal requirements;

(b)

secure the provision of training for personnel;

(c)

make arrangements for—

(i)

dealing with calls for help; and

(ii)

summoning personnel,

in the event of fire;

(d)

make arrangements for obtaining information required or likely to be required for the purpose mentioned in that subsection;

(e)

make arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from action taken for the purpose mentioned in that subsection.

10Road traffic accidents

(1)

Each relevant authority shall make provision for the purpose of—

(a)

rescuing persons in the event of road traffic accidents in its area; and

(b)

to the extent that it considers it reasonable to do so, protecting persons from serious harm in the event of road traffic accidents in its area.

(2)

In making provision under subsection (1) a relevant authority shall in particular—

(a)

secure the provision of the personnel, services and equipment necessary to meet efficiently all normal requirements;

(b)

secure the provision of training for personnel;

(c)

make arrangements for—

(i)

dealing with calls for help; and

(ii)

summoning personnel,

in the event of road traffic accidents;

(d)

make arrangements for obtaining information required or likely to be required for the purpose mentioned in that subsection;

(e)

make arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from action taken for the purpose mentioned in that subsection.

11Conferral of functions in relation to other emergencies

(1)

The Scottish Ministers may by order (an “additional function order”) confer on a relevant authority (the “specified authority”) a function relating to an emergency of a kind specified in the order (the “additional function”).

(2)

An additional function order may not specify as a kind of emergency—

(a)

a fire; or

(b)

a road traffic accident,

in the area of the specified authority.

(3)

An additional function order may make provision for or in connection with—

(a)

requiring the additional function to be carried out by the specified authority outwith its area;

(b)

specifying what the specified authority shall or may do for the purpose of the additional function;

(c)

requiring or authorising the specified authority—

(i)

to secure the provision of personnel, services and equipment;

(ii)

to secure the provision of training for personnel;

(iii)

to make arrangements for dealing with calls for help and summoning personnel;

(iv)

to make arrangements for obtaining information required or likely to be required for the purpose of carrying out the function;

(v)

to make arrangements for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from carrying out the function.