Fire Authority

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service welcomes Sir Ken Knight’s efficiencies report

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has “already delivered” many of the suggestions outlined in Sir Ken Knight’s report on cutting expenditure in national fire and rescue services, it was revealed today.

Fire deaths and injuries and the number of accidental house fires in the county are down while fire engines and firefighter numbers have also fallen in proportion.

The fire service in Shropshire costs only £43 per head of population compared to almost £60 for the most costly fire services.

Tough choices for fire and rescue service

The fire and rescue service in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin is “planning for the worst” after a further £1.6m cost cutting demand from central Government as part of its austerity programme.

Fire station closures, firefighter redundancies and a possible merger with a neighbouring brigade are being considered among a 50 strong list of options to be explored over the next 12 months.

New Chief Fire Officer

The new Chief Fire Officer of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has been appointed by Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority.

John Redmond, the current Deputy Chief Fire Officer will take over in July from the present Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond, who is retiring.

Originally from Wallasey on Merseyside, John gained a degree in geography at the University of Hull in 1982.

He joined London Fire Brigade in 1983 and spent 12 years in the capital in a variety of roles before moving to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1995.

Fire Officer’s charity work “Beyond the call of duty”

A senior Shropshire fire officer is to be recognised with a national award for helping to equip and train some of the poorest firefighters in Europe.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Worrall has been praised for his “inspirational” leadership in organising a series of county visits to the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Romania in the last several years.

Shropshire’s Chief Fire Officer to retire

Shropshire’s Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond has announced his retirement after a distinguished 33 year career in the Fire and Rescue Service.

He has led Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to become one of the best run brigades in the UK despite being one of the smallest and heavily underfunded – while reducing the annual cost of the service by over £3 million.

Shropshire's award winning "on call" firefighters from across the county

Shropshire’s latest new recruits will be stationed at fire stations across the county. Here they are pictured with their new colleagues receiving their awards after successfully completing eight weeks basic training. They are pictured with Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond and Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority chairman Stuart West at their passing out ceremony.

Fundraisers aid Romania

Shropshire fundraisers who collected more than £10,000 to fund a county charity mission to send much needed fire engines to Romania have been praised for their efforts by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Hundreds of people from across the county held car washes, cake sales, dress down days and auctions while sports clubs held bucket collections to raise the cash which will send four fire engines and a team of 14 volunteers to Romania next week.

Their efforts will help replace “outmoded and cumbersome” equipment and “save lives.”

Fire Service Awards

Long Service and Good Conduct Medals have been presented to 11 Shropshire firefighters and a member of the support staff at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire after completing 20 years service.

“They have dedicated their lives to assisting Shropshire people and on behalf of them I want to thank you very sincerely. You have never let us down when turning out to homes, rivers or car crashes. When we need help, you will be there,” said Algernon Heber-Percy.

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