The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is updating its Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) programme with key changes to better support high-risk individuals, based on new fire fatality research.

Visits will prioritise high-risk individuals identified through updated eligibility criteria based on fire fatality research, incorporating wider health and social care considerations.

SFRS conducts over 40,000 HFSVs annually, offering in-home risk assessments and fire safety advice. The refreshed visits will include wider health and social care considerations, improved referral processes, and updated content, plus enhanced collaboration with partner organisations.

To support this, SFRS is inviting community groups, care providers, and support agencies across Scotland to become HFSV partners, to help identify vulnerable individuals and support joint safety efforts. Partner organisations will receive training, support, and access to SFRS’s new referral system, replacing the outgoing CSET platform. Each partner is asked to nominate a Home Fire Safety Visit Coordinator and provide contact details for their Information Governance Officer to support safe and secure data sharing under GDPR.

This strengthened partnership approach aims to reduce fire risks for Scotland’s most vulnerable residents.

Organisations can express interest in getting involved and submit their contact details by email: sfrs.hfsv@firescotland.gov.uk

For further information, please visit the dedicated Partners Home Fire Safety Visit page.