The Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announced 17 local senior officers (LSOs) to work across the 32 council areas in Scotland.
Area manager Iain Vincent takes on the role of LSO for Fife, area manager Kenny Rogers is LSO for Stirling and Clackmannanshire, and area manager David Stapley takes on the Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross position.
New fire pathfinder committees have already been established in each area and have held meetings to build and strengthen contacts and discuss area-specific needs.
Chief officer Alasdair Hay of the SFRS said: “Local senior officers will work with local authorities to provide effective links with local communities and ensure that as a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service we are delivering the benefits of fire reform at a local level.
“The appointments were made in consultation with the relevant local authorities and have their approval. I know that the individuals concerned, all highly experienced fire service managers, are absolutely committed to ensuring that people see the benefits of fire reform.
Mr Hay said the LSOs will ensure that communities across Scotland have access to the full range of fire and rescue service resources including personnel, equipment and facilities.
He added: “Whilst we are a national service through the local senior officers we are committed to providing closer engagement with local communities, because it is that engagement and understanding of the specific needs of different areas and working with partners and the public in local neighbourhoods that will help us to deliver better outcomes and make our communities safer and stronger.”
The LSO for Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross, Dave Stapley, said: “Over recent years a partnership approach has been adopted to reduce the numbers of fires, fire casualties and other emergencies across the Dundee area. My aim as the LSO is to further develop these relationships and build on their success.”
The new officers will now take forward work on local service delivery plans to agree priority objectives with each council.