The importance which the Executive attaches to the service provided by retained and volunteer firefighters was highlighted in our policy consultation paper, The Scottish Fire Service of the Future, published last year.More specifically, the Executive has given considerable policy and financial support to the development of the auxiliary service in the Highland and Islands.Since 2000-01 the Highland and Islands Joint Board has received £8 million incapital consent, 40% of which has been to assist their auxiliary serviceupgrade programme. This involves new...