West Midlands Fire Service
West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the fire and rescue service for the metropolitan county of West Midlands, England. The service is the second largest in England, after London Fire Brigade. The service has 38 fire stations,[1] with a blended fleet of vehicles and specialist resources.
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| County | West Midlands |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 1974 |
| Employees | 1,909 |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Stations | 38 |
| Website | |
www | |
The service is led by Chief Fire Officer Phil Loach, who is overseen by the West Midlands Fire Authority.[2] The Fire Authority is made up of 15 councillors who represent the seven councils within the West Midlands area.
The service's headquarters is located in Nechells in Birmingham, which is also the home to Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control.[3] The control room, based at MWFS headquarters is the main incident management and mobilising centre for both WMFS and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.[4]
Workstreams
The service divides its main functions into three areas: response, prevention and protection.[5]
Response covers responding to emergencies, risk-based attendance standards, dynamic mobilising and Fire Control. Prevention covers their up-stream firefighting work that includes safe and well visits, community engagement, vulnerable persons officers and other individual and home-based fire prevention work. Protection covers their work around commercial and business fire safety, licensing and safety around buildings such as high-rise and apartment blocks.
Vehicles
WMFS currently operates a fleet of 39 PRLs (Pump Rescue Ladders, two TRPs (Technical rescue pumps), 19 BRVs (Brigade Response Vehicles), four HPs (Hydraulic Platforms) and three BSVs (Business Support Vehicles) in addition to various specialist appliances and transport vehicles.
Chief Fire Officers
The following people have held the office of Chief Fire Officer:
- 2014 to present: Phil Loach
- 2009–2013: Vijith Randeniya OBE[6]
- 2003–2008: Frank Sheehan[7][8]
- 1998–2003: Kenneth Knight[9]
- 1990–1998: Graham Meldum[9]
- 1981–1990: Brian Fuller
- 1975–1981: Tom Lister CBE
- 1974–1975: George Merrell CBE[10] (Chief Officer of Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service from 1969)
Role system
As with many other fire services, West Midlands Fire Service uses a rank structure that has evolved over time – the original titles are still used by some brigades.
| Former title | Current title |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | Firefighter |
| Leading Firefighter | Crew Commander |
| Sub-Officer | Watch Commander A |
| Station Officer | Watch Commander B |
| Assistant Divisional Officer | Station Commander |
| Divisional Officer | Group Commander |
| Senior Divisional Officer | Area Commander |
| Assistant Chief Officer | Assistant Chief Fire Officer |
| Deputy Chief Officer | Deputy Chief Fire Officer |
| Chief Fire Officer | Chief Fire Officer |
Fire stations and appliances
West Midlands Fire Service has no retained on-call firefighters. All fire stations within the service are full-time, and work on 2 types of shift:
- CORE - covered by four watches, comprising Red, White, Blue and Green:
10-hour day-shift. or 14-hour shift-night shift.
- LATE - covered by two watches of Orange and Purple:
12-hour shift running from 10 am to 10 pm. Tettenhall is the only solely late crewed station, and therefore Wolverhampton covers the area at night.
Birmingham City Centre is covered by three stations: Aston located and covering the northern side, Highgate located and covering the southern, central and eastern sides, and Ladywood covering the western side.
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances |
|---|---|---|---|
| A02 | Aston | Core | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| A03 | Sutton Coldfield | Core | 1x PRL |
| A04 | Erdington | Core | 1x PRL |
| A05 | Perry Barr | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x PM*, pods: 2x FDU, 1x WSU |
| A06 | Ward End | Core | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| A07 | Handsworth | Core/Late/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x ICU, 1x WFU |
| B01 | Solihull | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL,1x BRV, 1x CSV* |
| B02 | Sheldon | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x HVPSV, 2x PM*, pods: 1x HVP, 1x HVHL, 1x MDD, 1x MDR |
| B03 | Coventry | Core | 2x PRL, 1x HP, 1x BSV |
| B04 | Canley | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x WFU |
| B05 | Foleshill | Core | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| B06 | Binley | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| B07 | Bickenhill/TRU | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x TRP, 1x TRS, 1x L4V, 1x PM*, pods: 1x MRU, 1x TRU, 1x WSU |
| B07 | Bickenhill/USAR | Cross Crewed | 1x PCV, 1x SDU, 4x PM, modules: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| C01 | Highgate | Core | 2x PRL, 1x HP |
| C02 | Woodgate Valley | Core | 1x PRL |
| C03 | Smethwick | Core | 1x PRL, pod: 1x MPV |
| C04 | Bournbrook | Core | 1x PRL, 1x ICU |
| C05 | Kings Norton | Core | 1x PRL |
| C06 | Northfield | Core | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| C07 | Ladywood | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x BSV |
| C08 | Billesley | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| C09 | Hay Mills | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x DIM* 1x PM*, pods 1x BASU, 1x EPU, 1x GPU, 1x HSU, 1x ISU, 1x WFU |
| D01 | Oldbury | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x HP |
| D02 | Brierley Hill | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| D03 | Haden Cross | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| D05 | Stourbridge | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x IRU* |
| D07 | Tipton | Core | 1x PRL |
| D08 | West Bromwich | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x BRV, 1x BSV. |
| D09 | Dudley | Core/Late | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| E01 | Walsall | Core/Cross Crewed* | 2x PRL, 1x HP |
| E02 | Bloxwich | Core | 1x PRL |
| E03 | Willenhall | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x PM*, pods: 1x EPU, 1x HSU, 1x ISU |
| E04 | Aldridge | Core | 1x PRL |
| E05 | Wolverhampton | Core | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| E06 | Fallings Park | Core | 1x PRL, 1x BRV |
| E07 | Bilston | Core/Cross Crewed* | 1x PRL, 1x CSV* |
| E08 | Tettenhall | Late | 1x PRL |
| E09 | Wednesbury/TRU | Core | 1x TRP, 1x TRS, 1x WSU |
Fire appliance glossary / callsigns
- Pump Rescue Ladder (PRL): 1 / 2
- Brigade Response Vehicle (BRV): 5
- Hydraulic platform (HP): 4
- Business Support Vehicle (BSV): 9
- Incident Command & Control Unit (ICCU): 7
- Command Support Vehicle (CSV): 7
- High Volume Support Pump Vehicle (HVPSV)
- Prime Mover (PM): 8 / M32 / M96
Pods:
- Hazardous substances Environmental Protection Unit (HMEPU)
- Foam Distribution Unit (FDU)
- General Purpose Unit (GPU)
- High Volume Hose Layer (HVHL)
- High Volume Pump (HVP)
- Incident Support Unit (ISU)
- Major Rescue Unit (MRU)
- Multi Purpose Vehicle Carrier (MPV)
- Water Support Unit (WSU)
- Welfare support unit (decommissioned)
- Welfare Unit (WFU)
Technical Rescue Unit
- Technical Rescue Pump (TRP): 1
- Technical Rescue Support (TRS)
- Light 4x4 Vehicle (L4V)
- Prime Mover (PM): 8
Pods:
- Major Rescue Unit (MRU)
- Trench Rescue Unit (TRU)
- Water Support Unit (WSU)
Urban search and rescue
- Personnel Carrier Vehicle (PCV)
- Search & Rescue Dog Unit (SDU)
- Prime Mover (PM): M98 / M121 / M122 / M123
Pods:
- Module 1 - Technical Search Equipment
- Module 2 - Heavy Transport, Confined Space & Hot Cutting Equipment
- Module 3 - Breaching & Breaking Equipment
- Module 4 - Multi Purpose Vehicle
- Module 5 - Shoring Operations
Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response
- Detection, Identification & Monitoring (DIM): M4
- Incident Response Unit (IRU): M45 / M62
- Prime Mover (PM): M32 / M96
Pods:
- Mass Decontamination Disrobe (MDD)
- Mass Decontamination Rerobe (MDR)
Specialist units
Technical Rescue Unit
Operating out of two locations, a primary base at Bickenhill fire station and a satellite base at Wednesbury fire station, the WMFS Technical Rescue Unit has purpose-built facilities to train in all specialist rescue disciplines, providing a local, regional and national response 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to any USAR/widescale flooding incident as well as the support necessary for specialist rescue incidents.
The team is made up of a Station Commander, Administration Officer, Equipment Maintenance Officer, USAR Training Officer, Search Dog Handler, and four watches each made up of a Watch Commander, Crew Commander and six Technicians. A further four watches are based at Wednesbury.
With shifts running along with the same colour watches as the core fire crews, watch based personnel work a 96-hour duty period with 48 hours on full duty and the remainder on the retained cover. Retained personnel can respond to base within 30 minutes of being required for multiple incident deployment.
The unit makes use of a wide range of vehicles and equipment to carry out their role. Each TRU base has two primary response vehicles:
- Technical Rescue Support Unit – this 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter van provides a fast response capability for water, rope, and large animal rescues to get initial personnel and equipment to an incident as fast as possible.
- Technical Response Pump – based on a modified Volvo FL Pump Rescue Relay, this appliance carries enhanced rescue equipment at the expense of some fire fighting equipment. This will respond to life-threatening incidents in the local station ground alongside the regular TRU callouts.
Additional vehicles and equipment that are based at Bickenhill:
- Four New Dimension Prime Movers – modified to be able to transport both New Dimension and regular WMFS demountable pods to the scene of an incident.
- Five Urban Search and Rescue Modules.
- One Trench Rescue Unit.
Additional vehicles and equipment that are based at Wednesbury:
- One Water Support Unit.
West Midlands United Kingdom International Search and Rescue
The United Kingdom International Search and Rescue Team (UK-ISAR) is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to humanitarian accidents or disasters anywhere in the world.[11] There are 18 team members in West Midland Fire Services UK-ISAR, split into a Red Team and a Blue Team. The role of the team is to respond to support the UK Government when deploying personnel and equipment in response to international disasters such as earthquakes.
When on international call, a deployment is made of a team of six including the team leader from one of the groups and a Group Commander to act as the Operations Commander or Deployment Commander in charge of the UK International Search & Rescue Group (UKISARG).
The team should arrive in the affected country within 24 hours of the disaster occurring and be self-sufficient for periods of up to 10 days. Extensive specialist training over and above that normally required for firefighters is given to all team members.[12]
Twelve members of the West Midlands team were deployed as part of the UKISAR (United Kingdom International Search And Rescue) mission to Haiti in the wake of the earthquake there on 12 January 2010.[13] The team members were joined by two further members who had been in Sweden as part of a training exercise at the time of the earthquake. The team members were involved in the rescue of several people, including two-year-old Mia, who had been trapped for over four days.[14]
Fire Investigation and Prevention Section
The Fire Investigation and Prevention Section (FIPS) was formed in 1983, and in 25 years has attended over 8,000 incidents.
FIPS investigates the cause of fire in a variety of different types of incidents including large fires, fires where the cause cannot be immediately determined, and fires where people may have been injured or died.
FIPS works closely with the Police, other Services, and organisations such as insurance companies when investigating fires. The officers also work on special projects including arson reduction policies and strategies, human behaviour in fire, the main causes of fire, and the compilation of any information to identify trends in fire causes. This information is vital when undertaking targeted initiatives and campaigns relating to the education of fire safety awareness.
Notable incidents
- Dartmouth Road, Smethwick – 2013 – 35-pump fire, 50,000 tonnes of plastic and Jayplas plastics and paper recycling plant on fire.[15]
Recruitment controversy
In January 2019, it was alleged that WMFS was using discriminatory practices in recruitment of new firefighters.[16] Once candidates had passed a reactions test, they moved on to a numerical, verbal and mechanical reasoning exam. Media reports stated that ethnic minorities and females taking this test were deemed to have passed should they achieve a score of 60%. However, it was claimed that white male candidates were required to score at least 70%.[17] Member of Parliament David Davies condemned the policy, stating "It's totally bonkers. They should just be picking the best man or woman for the job. They shouldn't be lowering the target for anyone just to meet a target." The service has target of 60% of new recruits to be female by 2021 and 35% to be ethnic minorities. In repose to criticism, the organisation did not comment on whether it had different pass marks for different groups, stating "West Midlands Fire Service is committed to a workforce which reflects the diversity of all our communities" [18] and "our recruitment shows our determination to challenge outdated perceptions about who can – and can’t – be a firefighter."[19]
See also
References
- "Our Community Fire Stations". West Midlands Fire Service. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Governance and Leadership". West Midlands Fire Service. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Fire Control". West Midlands Fire Service. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service". www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Our Plan". West Midlands Fire Service. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "Hard work is key, says new WM fire chief". Birmingham Mail. 20 March 2009. p. 11.
- "Meet chief fireman Frank". Birmingham Post. 12 August 2003. p. 4.
- "'Surprise' as firefighters' chief resigns". Birmingham Mail. 19 November 2008. p. 3.
- "Woman saved in fire drama; Kenneth new fire chief for region". Birmingham Evening Mail. 31 January 1998. p. 4.
- "Hail to the Chief". Birmingham Post. 7 August 2002. p. 22.
- "International Search and Rescue". West Midlands Fire Service. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- "International Search and Rescue".
- "International Search and Rescue".
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/7006378/British-rescue-teams-pull-three-survivors-including-Mia-two-from-the-rubble.html
- "Bosses speak out over "tragic accident" as Chinese lantern sparks region's biggest fire". Express & Star. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
- 2019 (28 January 2019). "WHITE MEN NEED NOT APPLY: British Fire Service Lowers Standards For Women, Minorities". Daily Wire.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- "Fire brigade accused of discrimination after drive to recruit more women and ethnic minorities". uk.news.yahoo.com.
- Correspondent, Michael Knowles, Home Affairs (28 January 2019). "Fire chiefs make it harder to get a job if you're a white man". Express.co.uk.
- "Fire brigade accused of discrimination after drive to recruit more women and ethnic minorities". uk.news.yahoo.com.
