West Midlands Fire Service

📆 Festive date for your diaries! 🎄 Our much anticipated annual Christmas Carol Concert, kindly hosted by St Martins in the Bull Ring, is being held on Sunday 8 December. It's a free event, doors open from 4pm, concert starts at 4.30pm. Find out more, and RSVP for free reminders, on our website: https://wmfs.link/4hAVT9B

Unlock a world of safety education at Safeside! 🎓 🚒 Our indoor, full-size interactive safety village offers immersive experiences for visitors. Our facilities and practitioners help teach vital life skills in a realistic environment. From road and fire safety to personal well-being, our programmes are designed to engage and educate. Book a visit for your school or community group today and make learning safety an adventure! Visit https://wmfs.link/38fLRvK to learn more!

Today, family, friends and colleagues will attend the funeral of our late colleague, Rob Punshon. Rob joined WMFS in 2007. Rob's online book of condolence remains open on our website for messages of remembrance - https://lnkd.in/epAh-rjN

Today, West Midlands Fire Service remembers the victims, their families, and all those affected by the Birmingham pub bombings 50 years ago. We remember the 21 lives tragically lost and recognise the heroic efforts of emergency responders and civilians who stepped forward that night. WMFS representatives attended two memorial events in Birmingham today: a tribute at the Tree of Remembrance outside New Street Station and a service at Birmingham Cathedral. At 2pm, our Birmingham stations held a minute’s silence, with crews parading as flags were lowered in tribute.

Today we celebrated a special milestone – Aston Fire Station's 100th anniversary!🚒 🎉 Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Simon Barry, officially marked the occasion, cutting a ribbon among those attending. We were honoured to have some incredible guests join us, including John, a former resident and firefighter, born at the station 96 years ago, serving and retired members of staff who've worked at the station, and members of our esteemed Heritage Group, who keep our history alive at the on-site museum. We also unveiled the newly named John Agar Room, honouring one of the founding members of the Heritage Group, with his wife, Margaret, attending to mark the event. Aston Fire Station has been at the heart of our community in Birmingham for a century, and today was a wonderful reflection of its proud legacy. Here's to the next 100 years! 🚒❤️ #AstonFireStation100 #WestMidlandsFireService #Community

Sometimes, it’s clear when someone is struggling, but often the signs aren’t obvious. This International Men’s Day (Tuesday 19 November), we’re encouraging everyone to #ShareTheBurden. The theme for 2024, Positive Male Role Models, celebrates the inspiring men at West Midlands Fire Service and their incredible contributions to our communities. Take a moment to check in with someone, show kindness, and support the men in your life to be the best versions of themselves. If you, or someone you know needs help, make sure to reach out and get the support that's needed. We've listed some great sources you can consider via our website below. Find out more and access support here: https://wmfs.link/4eEueC6 #InternationalMensDay #ShareTheBurden Fire Fighters Charity

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is pleased to announce that Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Simon Tuhill, has been appointed as Chief Fire Officer. Following the decision by CFO Brook to remain in Warwickshire, and after an extremely competitive selection process, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority approached DCFO Tuhill, who was delighted that the opportunity had re-emerged and had no hesitation in accepting the role. DCFO Tuhill said: “It is an honour to take on the leadership mantle of West Midlands Fire Service – truly, too good to turn down. The opportunity to lead, manage and develop a service so dedicated to protecting the West Midlands is very special and I am so pleased to be accept this opportunity. “WMFS has an excellent reputation for its prevention, protection and response capabilities and it will be a privilege to walk through the door as the Chief Fire Officer for the first time. “I know how hard staff have worked in difficult circumstances throughout 2024. Their passion and commitment has been incredible to see, and I am looking forward to coming in and giving them the opportunity to do what they do best. “I feel I am well placed to lead the service through this current period of uncertainty. I commit to always keeping our staff at the heart of my decision making, because the people who work for WMFS, and their dedication, are what make it special. “I'm so excited to work in such a diverse and vibrant place as the West Midlands. Having been based in similar diverse parts of our capital city during my time in the London Fire Brigade, I know how important the fire service is in helping keep the most vulnerable in society safe, and the special connection we have with our communities is something I cherish and will continue to champion. “I know there are a range of challenges facing the service in the coming months, I look forward to working with the Home Office and Local Government Association to help improve oversight and scrutiny”. Read more: https://wmfs.link/3VfgLtJ

📆 Date for your diaries! 🎄 Our much anticipated annual Christmas Carol Concert, kindly hosted by St Martins in the Bull Ring, is being held on Sunday 8 December. It's a free event, doors open from 4pm, concert starts at 4.30pm. Find out more, and RSVP for free reminders, on our website: https://wmfs.link/4hAVT9B

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Brook as Chief Fire Officer. Ben joins West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. In a strong field of candidates, Ben impressed with his knowledge and experience of the fire and rescue sector and ability to drive change and instil a common purpose among the staff. CFO Ben Brook said: “I am delighted and honoured to return to where my career began, and enormously privileged to be the new Chief Fire Officer. I am so grateful to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, who put their trust in me firstly as Assistant Chief Fire Officer and then as Chief Fire Officer. I leave with a gracious and heavy heart. “My experiences at both Warwickshire and West Midlands Fire Services have shaped how I lead people and protect communities. We share the mission of protecting and saving lives, and our firefighters take that exceptional duty seriously and compassionately. “There will be much to do: while this is familiar territory, a lot has changed, but I feel with the staff, facilities and aspirations we have, we can continue to contribute as a crucial part of our West Midlands communities.” Having started his career as a Firefighter in the West Midlands in 2001, Ben progressed through the service through various roles including Area Manager for Response and Interim ACFO with responsibility for culture. Nationally Ben has served as first National Fire Chiefs Council lead for the Fire Sector Federation, drawing on his experience in fire safety, and then since 2021 as NFCC lead for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability. Ben holds the Level 7 Skills for Justice award in Strategic Incident Command in the Fire and Rescue Service, as well as a Level 7 certificate in Business Administration from Arden University. Read more: https://wmfs.link/48F5mZy

🚒 Join our team as a trainer! 🚒 We’re looking for a dedicated Trainer to join West Midlands Fire Service at our Oldbury Training Facility. This permanent role offers a unique opportunity to deliver vital fire safety training across the West Midlands and beyond, helping us make the region safer, stronger, and healthier. Key details: 💼 Salary: £33,024 - £34,834 🕒 Hours: Full-time and part-time applications welcomed 📅 Closing Date: Sunday 24 November 2024 at 12:00 📍 Location: Oldbury with travel across the UK (2 nights away per month) As part of our well-established training team, you’ll deliver a variety of fire safety courses to organisations both locally and nationwide. Training covers topics like fire marshal, fire extinguisher, and EVAC chair usage, along with advanced courses in disaster response. We’re looking for: ✅ strong presentation skills and an ability to engage with diverse audiences ✅ self-motivation, independence, and teamwork skills ✅ basic health and safety knowledge ✅ physical fitness for fire demonstrations and handling equipment This role includes excellent benefits, from on-site gym facilities to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and blue light discounts. To learn more and apply, visit our jobs portal 👉 https://wmfs.link/3AtbBCY #HiringNow #Trainer #WMFS #FireSafety