Organisation & Responsibilities

1. Central Government (i.e. The Home Secretary) is responsible to the Crown for the smooth and efficient running of the Fire Service in Great Britain.
   
2. Responsibilities are delegated from that point i.e.

	Home Secretary
	Local Authorities (County Councils)
	Fire Brigade Committees (since 1974 The Public Protection Committee both Police and Fire Services)
	Chief Fire Officers / Firemaster in Scotland

This shows how the Home Secretary directs through the "chain" to the Chief Officer of every Fire Brigade. He does this by means of instructions called Statutory Instruments or Department Letters.

Incidentally The Chief Officer/Firemaster is the only Fire Brigade Officer whose appointment must be approved personally by the Home Secretary.

•         Strathclyde Fire Brigade

•         Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service 

•         Lothian & Borders Fire brigade 

•         Grampian Fire brigade

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