By Katrine Bussey
The Press Association
PERTH, Scotland — The man appointed to head Scotland’s national fire service said he was honoured to have been given the opportunity to help shape the new force.
Alasdair Hay will be the first Chief Fire Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
The organisation is being created following a major shake-up of fire and police which will see the country’s existing regional forces merged into nationwide emergency services.
Mr Hay, currently the acting Chief Fire Officer in Tayside, will be paid £165,000 a year in the job.
The 50-year-old father-of-three is expected to start in the autumn, ahead of the new fire service taking over on April 1 next year.
He will initially be based at Perth community fire station, where the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will have its interim headquarters.
Edinburgh-born Mr Hay said: “I am honoured to take this unique opportunity to shape and deliver the new single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“It will allow us to sustain and improve the local services communities in all parts of Scotland depend on, to build on success and do more.”
Mr Hay worked with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service from 1983 to 1992.
He was then a senior instructor at the Scottish Fire Services College from 1992 to 1994, the year he joined Tayside Fire and Rescue Service.
He has also worked with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Unit for a period on secondment.
Mr Hay said: “Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a genuine commitment to partnership working.
“I will continue to work closely with the workforce, unions, government, local authorities and other key partners to maintain the high standards of the Scottish fire and rescue services.
“Above all, the single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will strengthen the connections with all communities and the people we serve.
“This new service will be efficient and effective, and focused on the needs of the people who depend on the vital services our dedicated workforce delivers.”
The fire service Mr Hay will head will have a workforce of more than 9,000 firefighters and support staff.
He was appointed after a nationwide recruitment process, with candidates from across the UK putting themselves forward for the post.
Community safety minister Roseanna Cunningham said that Mr Hay had “the experience and attributes to be an outstanding first Chief Officer for the new single service.”
She added: “He has passion for the service and genuine commitment for the successful delivery of the new single structure.”
Ms Cunningham said she was confident Mr Hay would work with others to “ensure the continued delivery of excellent fire and rescue services in communities right in all parts of Scotland.”
The Scottish Government has said creating single police and fire services will save £1.7 billion over 15 years.
Legislation to merge the regional forces was granted Royal Assent last week.
Recruitment is under way for a chief constable for the new national police force.
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