​​In late 2008 the Service was independently inspected for the first time in 4 years by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Advisory Unit (formally the Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland).  A team of four auditors conducted an extensive range of interviews, reviewed relevant documents and analysed performance information.

The report praised the Fire and Rescue Service in a number of areas including the management of risks, effective budget management, good communications, close working with partner organisations and skilled enthusiastic staff who are clearly motivated.  The report does however highlight a number of areas for improvement and makes a series of recommendations which have subsequently been built into the Service's corporate plans.