The Chairman of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority, Cllr Roger Phillips, has expressed his disappointment at the Home Secretary’s decision to allow the West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), John Campion, to take over the governance of the Fire Service – but has also signalled the Authority’s willingness to proactively work with the PCC to ensure a smooth transition period whilst, at the same time, maintaining the high standards of service delivery currently provided by the Service and its staff.

Cllr Phillips said: “The communities of both Herefordshire and Worcestershire enjoy great levels of service from their Fire & Rescue Service – and it is our job now to ensure these standards are maintained.”

John Campion said: “This represents a real opportunity to build safer communities, which are served by more effective, efficient emergency services. The improvements I aim to deliver have been clear and consistent throughout this process and I will work tirelessly to make sure ‘potential’ benefits on paper, become realities.”

“In addition, we will work with the PCC to ensure our principles of adding value to local communities, delivering on collaboration where it is make sense to do so, and our determined focus on efficiency and effectiveness are all continued and, where possible, enhanced as we prepare to hand over governance.”

The Fire Service already has a number of key collaboration projects it is undertaking with both West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service, such as the move of HWFRS headquarters to the police headquarters at Hindlip Hall later this year. These projects will be unaffected by the change in governance.

The Home Secretary’s decision allows the West Mercia PCC to take over governance of the two Fire & Rescue Services in the region (Hereford & Worcester and Shropshire), and indicative timescales from the Home Office for the handover have been set for around June or July this year.