The Strategic Advisory Forum (SAF) is chaired by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) and looks at the Fire & Rescue Services across Scotland from the employer perspective and is meant to be more strategic in outlook than the Service Delivery Advisory Forum (SDAF). The remit includes the provision of advice to Scottish Ministers on Fire and Rescue policy as it relates to local government, including advice on strategic direction.
Membership of the group includes:
- Three members of CoSLA's Environment, Sustainability and Community Safety Executive Group
- Chief Fire Officer's Association
- Fire Brigades Union
- Chair or Representative of the Ministerial Advisory Group and the Service Delivery Advisory Forum
- HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services (Ex-Officio)
In addition to forming the joint working group on Equality and Diversity with the Service Delivery Advisory Forum, the Strategic Forum has considered issues such as the role of Fire and Rescue Services in Community Planning and the approach to the Spending Review. The Forum has also considered public sector reform and the review of emergency preparedness.