Welcome to Shropshire FRS

Welcome Message From Chief Fire Officer, Simon Hardiman

Dear Applicant,

As Chief Fire Officer, I am seeking a Deputy Chief Fire Officer to assist in leading and developing an organisation, that provides excellent services to our communities, and I am delighted that you are interested in being part of the future in Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Our most significant asset are our people, and I am looking for an exceptional individual, with the skills, talent and commitment to lead and work alongside our outstanding workforce, a supportive Fire Authority, and partners to serve our communities. By joining the Service, you will be making a positive difference to the lives of all those who visit, reside, work or travel within Shropshire.

Following inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in 2023, it is clear that the Service has more work to do and the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer will be critical in ensuring continuous improvement and supporting our journey towards outstanding.

Shropshire is England’s largest inland county occupying approximately 1,350 square miles. The county is rich with history, having in excess of 500 listed buildings. It is also home to Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, universally accepted as the birthplace of the industrial revolution. The English counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the Welsh counties of Powys and Wrexham bound Shropshire, and we are one the UK’s most rural counties. With a relatively low population spread across a large area, this brings a unique set of challenges for a service of our type. 

We are committed to working in partnership and have links with our neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services, most notably an alliance with Hereford and Worcester F&RS. This partnership is delivering a major project that aims to increase resilience within our Fire Control team, through the introduction of a new command and control system and aligned working practices. We also collaborate closely with Shropshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, West Mercia Police, West Mercia SAR & West Midlands Ambulance Service to help deliver a better service to our community.

As Deputy Chief Fire Officer, you will be at the heart of decision making and strategic thinking which will help to shape the future of the service. You will also be part of the Brigade Manager rota providing Gold Command Cover. I welcome applications from qualified, experienced Strategic Managers who are able to demonstrate a successful track record of achievement and the ability to provide strong leadership at a pivotal time for the service. 

There is more work for the Service to do, and my expectation is that the successful candidate will contribute to further developing the culture and values of our Service, whilst providing strategic direction, achieving high performance and building effective working relationships with partner organisations, in order to shape the future services provided to the people of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

Thank you for taking the first step towards joining us; I look forward to hearing from you and wish you every success with your application.

Simon Hardiman, Chief Fire Officer