Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire in the West Midlands region of England. The two counties consist of around 1,500 square miles (3,900 km2), and a population of over 784,000 people.
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country | England |
| Counties | Herefordshire Worcestershire |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 1st April 1974 |
| Employees | 332 |
| Annual budget | £35.4 Million |
| Chief Fire Officer | Nathan Travis |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Divisions | 3 |
| Stations | 25 |
| Engines | 41 |
| Platforms | 2 |
| USAR | 5 modules |
| Rescue boats | 3 |
| Website | |
www | |
The service was created in 1974 when The County Of Hereford Fire Brigade and The Worcester City & County Fire Brigade were merged to create The County Of Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade. The two counties were split up again in 1998 but the fire service remained, and is now run by a joint fire authority.
The service has 332 wholetime operational staff, 369 retained (part-time) staff, 21 Fire Control staff, as well as about 98 non-uniformed support staff. The busiest areas of Hereford and Worcester fire and rescue is Worcester and Wyre Forest both averaging roughly 1,500 call outs a year, the least busiest areas being Peterchurch and Fownhope averaging 10–20 callouts a year. Evesham, Peterchurch & Wyre Forest stations are also home to the fire services realistic training facilities. Retained firefighters from Herefordshire train at Peterchurch Fire Station and The main training centre is at Droitwich fire station, and more complex training is undertaken at the Fire Service College in Moreton In Marsh. The smallest station in the area is Broadway, which is a small garage sitting off a narrow lane. The largest station is Wyre Forest, which has some of the best training facilities in the UK. It's also home to four pumps and six more vehicles, including a brand new Command Unit and Drone team
Neighbouring fire services include: Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Mid and West Wales, South Wales and the West Midlands.
Shift Patterns
Wholetime
The five wholetime fire stations within Herefordshire & Worcestershire have 1 appliance crewed 24/7 by four watches of; Blue, Red, Green & White, working on a shift pattern of two 9-hour day shifts and two 15-hour night shifts followed by four days off.
Day-crewed
The three day-crewed stations (along with the second appliance from Hereford & Worcester) have one appliance crewed for 12 hours a day by two watches of Alpha and Bravo, working on a shift pattern of four 12-hour shifts (from 07:00-19:00) then four days off. The appliance is manned by the retained crews at night
Retained
All stations in Herefordshire & Worcester have tetained crews in which 17 are solely retained. Retained firefighters are part-time and have to live or work within five minutes of the station and be available for up to 120 hours a week.
Fire stations and appliances North District (Worcestershire)
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances/Callsigns | Specialist Skills | Shared Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Wyre Forest | Wholetime*/Retained/Volunteer | 241 Scania HC WrT* 242 Scania HRP* 243 Scania WrT 244 Scania WrL* 245 Land Rover L4V 248 Mercedes EPU TBA Mercedes ICU* MAN PM+HPV MAN PM+HPHV SARA | Water First Responders, Drone Team | Yes; SARA & Police |
| 25 | Bromsgrove | Wholetime*/Retained | 251 Scania WrT 252 Scania CAFS HRP* | None | Yes; Police |
| 27 | Redditch | Wholetime*/Retained | 271 Scania CAFS WrL 272 Scania HRP* 273 Scania WrL | Water First Responders | No |
Fire stations and appliances South District (Worcestershire)
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances/Callsigns | Specialist Skills | Shared Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Worcester | Wholetime*/Day Crewed*/Retained | 211 Scania WrL* 212 Scania HRP* 213 Scania WrT 215 Mercedes SWRU+IrbT* 216 Scania ALP* | Swift Water Rescue Team | No |
| 26 | Droitwich Spa & USAR | Day Crewed*/Retained Wholetime (USAR) | 261 Scania HC WrL 262 Scania UHRP* 265 Mercedes SWRU* 268 Iveco ISV 269 Mercedes LiRU Vauxhall FIU Mercedes YFT 2x Dennis TA USAR: SWRU+IrbT PCV SDU 3x MAN PM 5x USAR Pods | Urban Search And Rescue, Rope Rescue Team | No |
| 28 | Evesham | Day Crewed*/Retained | 281 Scania HC WrL 282 Scania HRP* 2851x Mercedes SWRU+IrbT* 287 Scania WRC* 288 Mercedes EPU | Swift Water Rescue Team | No |
| 29 | Pebworth | Retained | 291 MAN WrL | None | No |
| 30 | Broadway | Retained | 302 Scania HRP | None | No |
| 31 | Pershore | Retained | 311 Scania WrLa 1x WMA | Animal Rescue Team, Water First Responders | Yes; Ambulance |
| 32 | Upton-Upon-Severn | Retained | 322 Scania CAFS HRP | Water First Responders | No |
| 41 | Malvern | Day Crewed*/Retained | 411 Scania WrT 412 Scania HC HRP* 415 Land Rover Defender L4V+ATV* 418 1x Dennis CSU* 419 1x Mercedes LiRU*, 1x RCSV | Rope Rescue Team, Water First Responders | No |
| 53 | Tenbury Wells | Retained | 532 Scania HC HRP | Water First Responders | No |
Fire stations and appliances West District (Herefordshire)
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances/Callsigns | Specialist Skills | Shared Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Ledbury | Retained | 422 Scania HC HRP 428 Mercedes ICU | Drone Team | No |
| 43 | Fownhope | Retained | 431 MAN WrL | None | No |
| 44 | Ross-On-Wye | Retained | 441 Scania CAFS WrL 442 MAN HRP 445 Mercedes RAV | Water First Responders | No |
| 45 | Whitchurch | Retained | 452 Scania HRP 455 Mercedes RAV | None | No |
| 46 | Hereford | Wholetime*/Day Crewed*/Retained | 461 1x Scania HC WrL* 462 Scania UHRP* 463 MAN WrT 466 Scania ALP*, 465 Mercedes SWRU+IrbT* 468 Land Rover L4V BB | Swift Water Rescue Team | No |
| 47 | Ewyas Harold | Retained | 472 Scania HRP | None | No |
| 48 | Eardisley | Retained | 481 Scania WrL | None | No |
| 49 | Kington | Retained | 492 Scania HRP | None | No |
| 50 | Leintwardine | Retained | 502 Scania HC HRP | Water First Responders | No |
| 51 | Kingsland | Retained | 511 Scania HC WrL | Guideline Laying Team | No |
| 52 | Leominster | Retained | 521 Iveco CA 522 Scania HC HRP 527 Scania WRC | None | No |
| 54 | Bromyard | Retained | 541 Iveco CA 542 Scania HRPA | Animal Rescue Team, Water First Responders | No |
| 55 | Peterchurch | Retained | 552 MAN HRP 557 Scania WRC | None | Yes; Police |
Fire appliance glossary/callsigns
Pump
Standard firefighting appliance based on either
- 2008 MAN TGL 12.250
- 2005 Scania P94D 260
- 2010-2012, 2016 Scania P280
Key/Callsign = WrT - Without 135 Ladder (1/3/4) & WrL - With 135 Ladder (1/3)
Heavy Rescue Pump
A WrL with heavy cutting equipment, some also have rescue platforms instead of a 135 ladder. They are based on either
- 2008 MAN TGL 12.250
- 2005 Scania P94D 260
- 2010-2012, 2016 Scania P280
Key/Callsign = HRP (2)
Pump/Heavy Rescue Pump With Animal Rescue
A Modified pump which has a specific locker to carry animal rescue equipment. They're based on either
- 2005 Scania P94D 260
- 2010 Scania P280
Key/Callsign = WrLa (1), HRPA (2)
Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) Pump/Rescue Pump
A pump or heavy rescue pump which has a modified locker or pump bay to pump specialist compressed foam. They are based on either
- 2012 Scania P280
- 2020 Scania P320
Key/Callsign = CAFS WrL (1), CAFS HRP (2)
Ultra Heavy Rescue Pump
A Rescue Pump, that carries ultra heavy lifting gear instead of a ladder. It's currently based on
- 2012 Scania P280
- Key/Callsign = UHRP (2)
High Capacity Pump/Rescue Pump
A pump which has a 3000L water tank & a 3000L portable dam & battery operated cutting gear. It is based on
- 2018 Scania P320
Key/Callsign = HC WrT (1/3), HC WrL(1/3), HC HRP (2)
Compact Appliance
A pump which is smaller than a standard appliance, but still carries 93% of the equipment. It is based on
- 2019-2020 Iveco Daily
Key/Callsign = (CA): 1/3
Young Firefighters Tender/Training Appliance
Spare pumps that are no longer operational that are used in youth activities and core training. They are based on either
- 1998-2000 Dennis Sabre
- 2001 Mercedes Atego Mk1
Key = YFT/TA
Reserve Pumps
The current reserve pumps are
- 2001-2004 Dennis Sabre
- 2005 Scania P94D 260
Restricted Access Vehicle
An appliance with 4x4 capabilities to access incidents that cannot be reached with a standard appliance, they also carry a CAFS system. They're Based on
- 2006 Mercedes Sprinter
Key/Callsign = RAV (5)
Water Carrier
An appliance loaded with a 8000L tank of water to supply at incidents with either a weak or no water source. They're based on either
- 2003 Scania P94 300
- 2010 Scania P310
Key/Callsign = WrC (7)
Aerial Ladder Platform
An appliance with a Bronto Skylift. It is based on
- 2007 Scania P310
Light 4x4 Vehicle
an appliance used for off-road firefighting. It can also pull a Crayford Argocat and rescue boats. It's currently based on
- 2009-2013 Land Rover Defender
Key = L4V (5/8), L4V+ATV (5)
Swift Water Rescue Unit + Inshore Rescue Boat
A specialised unit & boat which is focused on water related incidents. It is based on
- 2010, 2013 Mercedes Sprinter
Key/Callsign = SWRU+IrbT (5)
Incident Command/CommandSupport Unit
An appliance used as a Base Of Operations at large scale incidents. Its based on
- 2000 Dennis Dart Bus
- 2020 Mercedes Sprinter
Key/Callsign = CSU/ICU (8)
Environmental Protection Unit
A specialised unit jointly operated by both the H&WFRS & the Environment Agency at incidents that affect nature and dangerous chemicals. It is based on
- 2010 Mercedes Sprinter
Key/Callsign = EPU (8)
Incident Support Vehicle
An appliance which delivers extra equipment or personal facilities at large incidents. It is based on
- 2016 Iveco Daily
Key/Callsign = ISV (8)
Line Rescue Unit
A specialised unit loaded with mountain rescue essentials. It is based on
- 2010 Mercedes Sprinter
Key/Callsign = LiRU (9)
High Volume Pumping Unit
A specialised unit provided by the Government to pump or remove large amounts of water at an incident. The unit consists of
- 2004 MAN Prime Mover + High Volume Pump Pod
Key/Callsign = PM+HVP (M10)
- 2004 MAN Prime Mover + High Volume Hose Layer Pod
Key/Callsign = PM+HVHL (P10)
Fire Investigation Unit
A unit which investigates the cause of suspicious or large scale fires Key = FIU
Red Cross Support Vehicle
A volunteer unit which cares for those affected by an incident Key = RCSV
West Midlands Ambulance Standby
Some of the Fire Stations allocate empty appliance bays for the West Midlands Ambulance Service to standby at. Key = WMA
Blood Bike Standby
An allocated place for blood bikers to standby inbetween calls Key =(BB)
'SARA'
Where Hereford & Worcesters branch of Severn Area Rescue Association are located.
CBRN Response
Urban Search & Rescue (USAR)
- Search & Rescue Dog Unit
Key/Callsign = SDU (S136)
- Personnel Carrier Vehicle
Key/Callsign = PCV (S138)
- 2004 MAN Prime Mover
Key/Callsign PM (M54/M55/M56)
Pods:
- Module 1 - Technical Search Equipment
- Module 2 - Heavy Transport, Confined Space & Hot Cutting
- Module 3 - Breaching & Breaking Equipment
- Module 4 - Multi Purpose Vehicle
- Module 5 - Shoring Operations
Rank structure
| Rank | Role |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | Carrying out day-to-day duties within the station and firefighting |
| Crew Commander | In charge of 1 fire appliance at a Wholetime/Day crewed station, in charge of a watch at retained stations & in charge of incidents with 1 appliance |
| Watch Commander | In charge of a watch at Wholetime/Day Crewed/Retained Stations & in charge of incidents with 2-3 appliances |
| Station Commander | In charge of 2 or more Stations and takes command at incidents with more than 3 appliances |
| Group Commander | In charge of a group of stations in an area & takes command of incidents with more than 8 appliances |
| Area Commander | In charge of all stations either in Herefordshire or Worcestershire & takes charge at incidents with more than 10 appliances |
| Assistant Chief Fire Officer | In charge of the brigade when both the CFO & DCFO are unavailable & will take charge at incidents with more than 12 appliances |
| Deputy Chief Fire Officer | In charge of the brigade when the CFO is unavailable, Commander of the High Volume Pumping Unit & takes charge of incidents with more than 15 appliances |
| Chief Fire Officer | In charge of the brigade & will take charge of incidents with more than 15 appliances |
Notable incidents
- Sun Valley fire Hereford 6/9/1993 (23 Pumps & 130 Firefighters From 3 Brigades) The largest fire in the services history at a poultry processing plant in which two firemen from Hereford and Leominster stations were found dead after interior piping fell onto them whilst fighting the fire inside
- Redditch Tesco fire 4/8/2001 (22 Pumps & 150 firefighters)
- Toddbrook reservoir dam 1/8/2019-6/8/2019 (All ten High Volume Pumping Units in the UK & 150 Firefighters) Part of the Toddbrook Reservoir Dam was severely flood damaged and was at heavy risk of collapse. As a result, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue ordered every High Volume Pumping Unit in the UK to take in over a million tonnes of water from the Dam to reduce the risk of flash flooding. They remained there for five days until the water level was down to 25% and essential repairs were completed
References
External links
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