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, and a population of over 784,000 people.
 | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country |  |
| Counties |   |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 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 | |
| Official website | |
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 & rescue is Worcester and Wyre Forest both averaging roughly 1,500 call outs a year, the least busiest areas being Peterchurch and Fownhope averaging between 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 4 pumps & 6 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 5 Wholetime Fire Stations within Herefordshire & Worcestershire have 1 appliance crewed 24/7 by 4 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 3 Day Crewed Stations (along with the second appliance from Hereford & Worcester) have 1 appliance crewed for 12 hours a day by 2 watches of Alpha and Bravo, working on a shift pattern of four 12 hour shifts (from 7:00-19:00) then four days off. The appliance is manned by the retained crews at night
Retained
All stations in Herefordshire & Worcester have Retained crews in which 17 are solely retained. Retained firefighters are part-time and have to live or work within 5 minutes of the station and be available for up to 120 hours a week.
Fire Stations/Appliances North District (Worcestershire)
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances | Specialist Skills | Shared Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | Wyre Forest | Wholetime*/Retained/Volunteer | 1x Scania WrL, 1x Scania WrT, 1x Scania HC WrT, 1x Scania HRP*, 1x Mercedes EPU, 1x Land Rover L4V, 1x CSU*, 1x MAN PM+HPV, 1x MAN PM+HPHV, SARA | Water First Responders, Drone Team | Yes; SARA & Police |
| 25 | Bromsgrove | Wholetime*/Retained | 1x Scania WrL, 1x Scania CAFS HRP* | None | Yes; Police |
| 27 | Redditch | Wholetime*/Retained | 1x Scania WrL, 1x Scania CAFS WrL, 1x Scania HRP* | Water First Responders | No |
Fire Stations/Appliances South District (Worcestershire)
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances | Specialist Skills | Shared Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Worcester | Wholetime*/Day Crewed*/Retained | 1x Scania WrT, 1x Scania WrL*, 1x Scania HRP*, 1x Scania ALP*, 1x Mercedes SWRU+IrbT* | Swift Water Rescue Team | No |
| 19/26 | Droitwich Spa & USAR | Day Crewed*/Retained | 1x Scania HC WrL, 1x Scania UHRP*, 1x Iveco ISV*, 1x Mercedes SWRU*, 1x Vauxhall FIU, 1x Mercedes YFT, 2x Dennis TA, 1x SWRU+IrbT, 1x PCV, 1x SDU, 3x MAN PM for 5x USAR Pods | Urban Search And Rescue, Rope Rescue Team | No |
| 28 | Evesham | Day Crewed*/Retained | 1x Scania HC WrL, 1x Scania HRP*, 1x Scania WRC* 1x Mercedes SWRU+IrbT*, 1x Mercedes EPU | Swift Water Rescue Team | No |
| 29 | Pebworth | Retained | 1x MAN WrL | None | No |
| 30 | Broadway | Retained | 1x Scania HRP | None | No |
| 31 | Pershore | Retained | 1x Scania WrL, 1x WMA | Animal Rescue Team, Water First Responders | Yes; Ambulance |
| 32 | Upton-Upon-Severn | Retained | 1x Scania CAFS HRP | Water First Responders | No |
| 41 | Malvern | Day Crewed*/Retained | 1x Scania WrT, 1x Scania HC HRP*, 1x Land Rover Defender L4V+ATV*, 1x Mercedes LiRU*, 1x Dennis CSU*, 1x RCSV | Rope Rescue Team, Water First Responders | No |
| 53 | Tenbury Wells | Retained | 1x Scania HC HRP | Water First Responders | No |
Fire Stations/Appliances West District (Herefordshire)
| Station Callsign | Station Name | Duty System | Appliances | Specialist Skills | Shared Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Ledbury | Retained | 1x Scania HC HRP | Drone Team | No |
| 43 | Fownhope | Retained | 1x MAN WrL | None | No |
| 44 | Ross-On-Wye | Retained | 1x MAN HRP, 1x Scania CAFS WrL, 1x Mercedes RAV | Water First Responders | No |
| 45 | Whitchurch | Retained | 1x Scania HRP, 1x Mercedes RAV | None | No |
| 46 | Hereford | Wholetime*/Day Crewed*/Retained | 1x MAN WrT, 1x Scania HC WrL*, 1x Scania UHRP*, 1x Scania ALP*, 1x Mercedes SWRU+IrbT*, 1x Land Rover L4V, 1x BB | Swift Water Rescue Team | No |
| 47 | Ewyas Harold | Retained | 1x Scania HRP | None | No |
| 48 | Eardisley | Retained | 1x Scania WrL | None | No |
| 49 | Kington | Retained | 1x Scania HRP | None | No |
| 50 | Leintwardine | Retained | 1x Scania HC HRP | Water First Responders | No |
| 51 | Kingsland | Retained | 1x Scania HC WrL | Guideline Laying Team | No |
| 52 | Leominster | Retained | 1x Scania HC WrL, 1x MAN HRP, 1x WRC | None | No |
| 54 | Bromyard | Retained | 1x Iveco CA, 1x Scania HRPA | Animal Rescue Team, Water First Responders | No |
| 55 | Peterchurch | Retained | 1x Scania HRP, 1x 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 (1/3), 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
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)
Command Support Unit
An appliance used as a Base Of Operations at large scale incidents. Its based on
- 2000 Dennis Dart Bus
Key/Callsign = CSU (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 Ambulace 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 sadly, 2 firemen from Hereford and Leominster stations were found dead after interior piping fell onto them whilst fighting the fire inside
- Toddbrook Reservoir Dam (All 10 High Volume Pumping Units in the UK & 150 Firefighters) 1/9/2019 - 6/8/2019 Part of the Toddbrook Resovoir 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 5 days until the water level was down to 25% and essential repairs were completed