West Midlands Fire Service
West Midlands Fire Service helps to keep 2.9 million people in the West Midlands safe. The second largest fire and rescue service in England, it serves a diverse population across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
It works with partners and the community to identify risks across the West Midlands and uses this evidence as the basis for its Community Safety Strategy. The service has maintained and built on a strong collaborative relationship with other blue light services, local authorities and other partners throughout the West Midlands.
West Midlands Fire Service is administered by West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, which comprises councillors from across its service delivery area.
HMICFRS region and HMI
- His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services (HMI): Lee Freeman is temporary HMI for West Midlands Fire Service
- HMICFRS region: The service is in HMICFRS’s Western fire region
HMICFRS’s role in inspecting this service
For over 160 years, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has independently assessed and reported on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and policing, in the public interest.
In summer 2017, HMIC (now HMICFRS) took on inspections of England’s fire & rescue services, assessing and reporting on their efficiency, effectiveness and leadership.
Recent news
- Letter from HMCI to West Midlands Fire & Rescue Authority
- Fire and Rescue Services make progress to improve culture, but more must be done to tackle unacceptable behaviour
- Terms of reference: Home Secretary’s commission for a thematic inspection of the handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services
- Fire and Rescue Service inspections 2021/22 – tranche 3
- West Midlands Fire Service’s performance has improved
Recent publications
- Letter from HMCI to West Midlands Fire & Rescue Authority
- Standards of behaviour: The handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services
- Terms of reference: Home Secretary’s commission for a thematic inspection of the handling of misconduct in fire and rescue services
- Fire and Rescue Service inspections 2021/22 – tranche 3
- Effectiveness, efficiency and people 2021/22 – West Midlands Fire Service