And the way the Inspectorate might wish to approach, what would be a 3 yearly inspection, is shown. Performance assessment, thematic and specific inspections are explained as being less formal, sometimes questionnaire based and, especially with thematic reviews, aimed at developing or aiding policy evolution. Keeping up to date is acknowledged as being difficult as is the simple act of being service aware. Shared resourcing, secondments, changed working when issuing technical information and generally seeking to introduce a better focus for technical matters are argued as solutions. This impacts directly on others' responsibilities and resources and requires new partnerships.
Objective judgements require scrutiny and ethics.
They also require a strong evidential base relevant to the fire service in Scotland and which incorporates skills across the range of fire service functions, particularly finance and statistical, and perhaps legal. Meeting these challenges requires closer inter-Inspectorate working and better defined evidential information. Again a central focus but owned by the users and providers. There is also the challenging question of strategic overview. The unique insight and influential position is described and then challenged.