Tayside’s top firefighter will head up the new national fire service.
The appointment of Alasdair Hay, currently the acting chief fire officer for Tayside, was announced in Perth on Thursday by the Scottish community safety minister and local MSP Roseanna Cunningham.
Based at its Fair City interim headquarters, the 50-year-old father-of-three, who lives in Dundee, has been tasked with leading the new organisation from April next year.
The current eight Scottish services will be amalgamated into one body under proposals the government claims will save £1.7 billion over the next 15 years.
The £165,000 post places Mr Hay at the head of a 9,000-strong staff and burdens him with rooting out inefficiencies and removing unnecessary duplications across support staff.
The final shape of Scotland’s fire service including its permanent base is still to be determined as work begins to put a national fire board in place.
Ms Cunningham said as a local MSP she would like to see the permanent headquarters in Perth but that it would be for the board to make the final decision.
In the meantime, Mr Hay said his primary focus will be to protect frontline services.
He said: ”We can’t ignore we live in difficult times and there are areas of duplication and we need to protect the frontline and protection and prevention services will continue.
”Scottish Fire and Rescue services across the country are already performing really well so the challenge is to build on the success already achieved.”
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”We will have all the benefits of a national service with economies of scope and scale and the expertise of eight services and those can be brought to bear wherever needed across Scotland.”
The controversial plans have brought criticism from opponents who claim the level of local knowledge and awareness of communities’ specific needs will be lost. Mr Hay said that will be tackled with the appointment of a local senior officer for each council area.
He said: ”What they will do is engage with the local authority and other agencies to ensure the voice of the people in each area is heard. We will build on the good work going on and look to actually make sure across Scotland people have the resources that meet the risks.”
Mr Hay will also tackle the other major critics of the scheme the unions, who fear members’ jobs may be lost in the shake-up.
He said: ”The Fire Brigades Union is extremely supportive of this process but I understand at a time of change staff are concerned so I’ll be meeting their representatives to make sure they are brought on this journey.”
Ms Cunningham said the next task will be to appoint a national fire board.
She said: ”Mr Hay has passion for the service and genuine commitment for the successful delivery of a new single structure. I am confident he will work closely and constructively with the board and all other partners to ensure the continued delivery of excellent fire and rescue services in communities in all parts of Scotland.”
Labour’s community safety spokeswoman, Jenny Marra, said: ”I know Mr Hay from Tayside Fire and Rescue and know him to be someone who is trusted, respected and gets the best out of his staff.”
Perthshire North MSP John Swinney, said: ”This new and challenging role will require great leadership and management ability which I have every confidence Mr Hay will bring with him to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Murdo Fraser MSP immediately called for the interim HQ at Perth to be made permanent.
He said: ”It will no doubt be a demanding role but I am sure he has both the experience and skills to succeed. With its central location, good transport links and its affordable accommodation, Perth is the ideal place to host the national Fire and Rescue Service headquarters.”