West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is the statutory fire and rescue service responsible for fire protection, prevention, intervention and emergency rescue in the county of the West Midlands in England.
The West Midlands Fire Service functions under the control of the "West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority", which is a joint-authority, made up of councillors from the seven local authorities in the West Midlands [1].
The service was created in 1974 when the West Midlands county came into being. Prior to its creation, each of the county boroughs in the West Midlands area (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Solihull, Walsall, Warley, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton) had their own fire brigade. The largest of these brigades was the City of Birmingham Fire Brigade. The WMFS was created by a merger of these, plus parts of Warwickshire Fire Brigade, and is now the second largest and one of the best-performing fire and rescue teams in the UK.[2]
The service was originally headquartered in the former City of Birmingham Fire Brigade headquarters at Lancaster Circus which were opened on the 2nd of December, 1935 by HRH Duke of Kent. It is now a Listed building. However, the service moved to purpose built, modern headquarters on Vauxhall Road, Nechells, with the move commencing in July 2008 (and being completed by the end of November).
[edit] Organisation
The brigade is run under the command of the Chief Fire Officer Vij Randeniya and the Corporate Board, and provides emergency response from 41 strategically located fire stations, divided into nine Command Areas.
Six of the Command Areas are coterminous with the Metropolitan boroughs of the West Midlands county; Birmingham however is divided into three commands. The full list of Command Areas is as follows:
[edit] HQ History of CFOs and Other Notable Events
- The WMFS is 74 years old (formed in 1935, correct as of December 14, 2009)
- 1930 - construction on the HQ commenced. By the end of 1935, construction of the HQ (on Lancaster Circus Queensway) is completed, and the HQ officially opened on the 2nd of December
- November 2009 - the WMFS completes its move from Lancaster Circus to its new HQ on Vauxhall Road, Duddeston
[edit] Chief Fire Officer Tozer II (1935 - 1940 (5 Years))
- Full name: Alfred Robert Tozer II
- Tozer joins 'Birmingham Fire Brigade' in 1892
- Tozer appointed Chief Fire Officer in 1906 following the death of his father, the previous Chief Officer
- 1912 - Tozer receives a long service medal for 20 years service, being awarded the King's Police & Fire Brigade Medal five years later
- 1920 - awarded an OBE
- 2 December 1935 - HRH Duke of Kent officially opens the Fire Station and Mr. A. R. Tozer II is appointed Chief Fire Officer of WMFS
- 1937 - receives a Coronation Medal and 45 Year Bar for his Long Service Medal
- 22nd of November 1940 - Tozer retires
- During his time as CFO, two Jack Russell Terriers are brought in to tackle an infestation of rats
- 15th of August 1937 - AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) formed and takes residence at HQ
- January 1940 - District Officer H. W. Coleman appointed officer in charge of AFS
[edit] Chief Fire Officer B. A. Westbrook (1940 - 1941 (1 Year))
- Captain Westbrook from the Fire Brigade Division of the Home Office became temporary Chief Fire Offier from November 1940 to January 1941
- During his period of office, he introduced changes in the control of the Service and instituted a comprehensive system of training in the use of water supplies. His genial nature and contact with all ranks was also credited with improving morale at a difficult time.
- December 1940 - the AFS and adjoining house in Sparkbrook were demolished by a bomb, trapping a number of people
[edit] Chief Fire Officer F. Winteringham (1941 - 1948 (7 Years))
- F. Winteringham served Leeds Fire Bridage as Chief Engineer, first taking role of Chief Officer in Bristol, Swansea & Leicester before being appointed to Birmingham brigade in 1941
- When National Fire Service came into being in 1941, Winteringham was awarded an MBE
- 1945 - after the war ends, the control room moves from the basement back to the first floor
- 29th of September 1945 - what was previously the Band of Birmingham Fire Brigade makes its last public appearance at the Victory Parade in Birmingham City Centre
- 1946 - AFS disbanded
- 20th of November 1947 - a party is held at the HQ to celebrate the marriage of HM Queen Elizabeth II to Lt. Phillip Mountbatten
[edit] Chief Fire Officer H. W. Coleman (1948 - 1955 (7 Years))
- 1920 - Henry William Coleman joins the Birmingham Fire Brigade, following his service in the Royal Navy
- 1940 - Coleman placed in charge of the AFS
- 5th of July 1948 - Birmingham Fire Brigade becomes responsible for Ambulance service in the city
- 1948 - Birmingham Fire Brigade Training School becomes the first provincial school, training recruits from 19 different brigades
- 13th of March 1955 - WMFS attends a large fire at the Birmingham city centre branch of Halfords
[edit] Chief Fire Officer A. W. Paramor (1955 - 1961 (6 Years))
- November 1955 - Arthur Paramor is appointed Chief Officer Of Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service, having previously been Chief Officer of the Hampshire Brigade
- 1955 - 'Music While You Work' is broadcast from the HQ's Recreation Room, along with an episode of 'Town Forum', with Lady Barnett taking part
- 1957 - unhappy with having to polish the large Recreation Room floor with bumper brushes, the cleaners at HQ are given an electric polisher
- 1957 - Bedford Recovery Vehicle put into operation from Central Fire Station at HQ
- July 1957 - first siren fitted to a Birmingham fire engine at Central
- 1958 - Bedford foam tender brought into service ("on the run") from Central
- 1960 - length of recruit training courses at HQ Training School extended from 8 weeks to 12 weeks
- 14th of April 1961 - fire fighters staff Emergency Ambulances
[edit] Chief Fire Officer A. E. Webb (1961 - 1969 (8 Years))
- 1910 - Arthur Edward Webb born in Tipton, joining Birmingham Fire Brigade as a Fireman in 1935
- 1963 - Fireman Gary Owen wins the National Amateur Snooker Championships, following this up by winning the World Championships in India and retaining the World Title the following year
- 1964 - a 'Junior Fireman' scheme is started at HQ
- 1st of January 1966 - the brigade is organised into two divisions, 'A' & 'C'. Both divisional headquarters are at Lancaster Circus for a time
- 1966 - F36 Dennis Fire Engines on the run at Central
- July 1967 - the Right Honourable Roy Jenkins, Home Secretary, visits HQ
- 1967 - the Junior Fireman Scheme is suspended due to budget constraints
- 31st of March 1968 - a parade is held at HQ to mark the disbanding of the AFS, after serving Birmingham and the surrounding area for more than 30 years
[edit] Chief Fire Officer G. H. Merrell (1969 - 1975 (6 Years))
- George Merrell born in Sheffield in 1922
- 1946 - Merrell leaves the Royal Marines to join the Fire Brigade
- 12th of May 1970 - 12 firemen, including some from Central, break the world hand-pumping record at Cannon Hill Park - the new record becomes 72 hours
- 1st of April 1974 - Birmingham Fire & Ambulance Service is disbanded after local government reorganisation, and the new West Midlands Fire Service is formed, consisting of eight divisions. Responsibility for Ambulances transferred to the NHS
- 7th of March 1975 - following the Birmingham pub bombings on the 21st of November 1974, the Queen visits HQ to meet and thank the WMFS personnel involved in dealing with the aftermath
[edit] Chief Fire Officer T. Lister (1975 - 1981 (6 Years))
- Tom Lister born in Hull in 1924, joining the WMFS in 1975
- During his time as CFO, the WMFS is reorganised into 5-divisions - 'A' to 'E'. 'A' remains at HQ
- 28th of May 1977 - A Team from Central White Watch wins the National Quiz competition at Five Service Staff College, Dorking
- 14th of November 1977 - National Fire Service strike begins (Armed Forces occupy HQ)
- 16th of January 1978 - National Fire Service strike ends (Central reopens)
- September 1978 - tape recording equipment installed at Fire Control to record all activities
- 19th of January 1979 - a national agreement with the Fire Brigade Union reduces the firefighters' working week to 42 hours, requiring a new formation of Green Watch
- April 1981 - two hour 'Proto' withdrawn from the BA (Breathing Apparatus) tender at Central, being replaced with ultra lightweight compressed air sets already used elsewhere in the Brigade
[edit] Chief Fire Officer B. L. Fuller (1981 - 1990 (9 Years))
- 1936 - Brian Leslie Fuller born in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Begins his career in 1957 as an Ambulance Attendant with Hertfordshire Fire & Ambulance Service
- November 1981 - word processing and audio equipment installed at HQ
- 1981 - major reorganisation takes place at Central; Station office and Station Officer's office are moved to the pole-drop end of the engine house, Dorms are moved from First Floor to Ground Floor locker room, locker room is moved to the First Floor rest room
- 1st of January 1982 - fire investigation team established, formed by officers from HQ
- 14th of May 1983 - Central & HQ holds the first open day for 10 years - an impressive 5,000 people attend
- March 1984 - first Ethnic Relations (ER) section of the British Fire Service is established within WMFS
- March 1984 - barrier is installed at the front gate
- 4th of June 1984 - CFO Fuller records first video message to Brigade
- July 1984 - 'A' Division HQ moves from Ground Floor to First Floor as part of HQ reorganisation
- 1st of October 1984 - The Band of The WMFS forms, practicing at HQ (Brass/Wind band)
- 11th of November 1984 - Firemen Keith Low and Nick Nicholls, from Central Red Watch, set a new world record for wearing breathing apparatus in a vacant unit in the Bull Ring Shopping Centre; new record was set at 150 hours
- September 1984 - following a reorganisation of Metropolitan County Councils, approval is given for new Command & Control Suite for Fire Control by the Department of Environment
- 13th of December 1984 - Under-Secretary of State, Mr R Morris, visits HQ
- 27th of February 1986 - Central's engine house doors become automated, eventually automatic traffic lights are also installed
- 1st of April 1986 - WMFS becomes the WMFCDA (West Midlands Fire & Civil Defence Authority)
- 10th of April 1986 - Brigade Medical Centre Opens at HQ under the Clock Tower
- 1st of June 1986 - HQ is visited by the Right Honourable Douglas Hurd, Home Secretary
- June 1987 - the first edition of 'Firepower' is edited at HQ by ADO (Assistant Divisional Officer) John Whitehead
- 5th of September 1987 - an open day held at HQ attracts large crowds of visitors
- 27th of October 1987 - a new Command & Control system is commissioned for Fire Control
- 13th of December 1987 - the last Brigade Carol Service to be held in the Recreation Room at HQ takes place
- 9 July 1990 - 'A' Division Headquarters moves from First Floor of HQ to new offices in the old living accommodation at Aston Fire Service
[edit] Chief Fire Officer Sir Graham Meldrum (1990 - 1997 (7 Years))
- 1st of October 1990 - Mr. Graham Meldrum takes charge of the Brigade
- 29th of October 1990 - A community relations department is formed at HQ
- 30th of November 1991 - Kenneth Baker MP, Home Secretary, visits HQ
- 16th of June 1992 - John Smith MP (Labour), leader of the then-Opposition, visits HQ
- 1993 - first Dennis 'Sabre' fire engine arrives at Central
- 18th of May 1994 - ceremony to receive the RoSPA Gold Award for reducing injury to firefighters is held at HQ
- 15th of December 1995 - Home Secretary, the Right Honourable Michael Howard, visits WMFS
- 26th of March 1996 - Star, the 'Hydrocarbon Detector Dog', takes up residence at HQ
- 6th of September 1997 - personnel at HQ, operational and non-uniformed, mark the passing of Diana, Princess of Wales with a parade outside the front of the HQ building
[edit] Chief Fire Officer Sir Ken Knight (1998 - 2003 (5 Years))
- 1947 - Kenneth John Knight born in Croydon, starting his Fire Service Career in Surrey in 1966
- 23rd of February 2000 - Central's turntable ladder is decommissioned
- 17th of March 2000 - the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Any Questions?' is hosted in the HQ Recreation Room
- 11th of September 2001 - CFO Knight sends message of sympathy to NYFD (New York Fire Department)
- 24th of April 2002 - WMFS wins highest award ever from RoSPA, 'Highly Commended' (9th Year Running)
- 11th of September 2002 - personnel, both operational and non-uniformed, parade outside the front of HQ building to honour the 343rd New York Firefighters
[edit] Chief Fire Officer Frank Sheehan (2003 - 19th of November 2008)
- 1975 - Frank Sheehan joins WMFS
- 2004 - decision to relocate HQ due to maintenance costs is made
- 30th of July 2004 - localised Industrial Action is taken by the Fire Brigades Union in support of awards won, following the previous Industrial Action, not being implemented
- 12th of May 2005 - announcement made that Central's fire engine will be stood down during night-time
- 14th of July 2005 - personnel parade outside front of HQ building, in memory of those killed in the London terrorist atttacks exactly one week previously
- March 2006 - announcement made that Central Fire Station is to close
- 1st of November 2006 - the two fire engines from Central are transferred - one to Aston and one to Hay Mills - and Central Closed
- November 2008 - Sheehan forced to resign stating 'personal reasons' following his arrest and subsequent bail on suspicion of alleged child pornography offences, although no charges were ever brought against him he accepted a caution and was placed on the sex offenders register for 2 years [3].
[edit] Chief Fire Officer Vijith Randeniya (2008 - present)
The current Chief Officer is Vij Randeniya. He is the first Asian Chief Fire Officer and indeed Chief Officer from an ethnic minority background to be appointed in the UK Fire & Rescue Service.
He was Deputy Chief Officer in WMFS until November 2008 whereupon he was appointed as acting Chief Officer. In February 2009 West Midlands Fire & Rescue Authority appointed Vij as Chief Officer on a permanent basis.
[edit] Fire Stations
A cast-iron Birmingham Corporation fire-hydrant cover, from the time when the City Council was responsible for both the local fire service and water supply
The fire service has 40 fire stations, of which are all full-time.[4]
The fire station at Lancaster Circus is home to the longest fireman's pole in Europe at 40 feet (12 m) in length.[5]
[edit] Fire appliances
West Midlands Fire Service operates over 60 front line fire engines,[6] mainly of the Dennis Sabre type. The service also operates a number of specialist appliances compromising several hydraulic platforms with up to a 29 metre reach, three specialised command support vehicles equipped with extensive communication and control facilties and now a brand new ISIS remote controlled drone. As well as these, there a number of specialised demountable pods for various roles (Water rescue unit, Environmental Unit, etc.) that are located around at five stations around the county and transported to incidents on the back of a heavy duty prime mover.
The government's New Dimension programme has equipped the brigade with three Incident Response Units, two High Volume Pumping Units, one Detection Indentification and Monitoring vehicle along with the Urban Search and Rescue vehicles.
[edit] Technical Rescue Unit (Urban Search and Rescue)
The West Midland's Technical Rescue Unit is one of the best in the country. Located at Bickenhill fire station, the Technical Rescue Unit operates both the USAR pods and vehicles provided by the government, along with several other vehicles specially purchased by the brigade itself. The unit also boasts a brand new urban search and rescue training rig as well as offering rope and water rescue training, making it the second best USAR training centre in the county (the best being the extensive facilities at the Fire Service College).
[edit] Notable Incidents
Shannons Mill, Walsall - 2007 - 25 Pump fire. 3 Storey, listed, former leather tanning workshop.
Cornwall Road, Smethwick - 2009 - 25 Pump Fire, 2 Large Factories fully involved in fire.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
