'I aim to provide a sense of stability ' - New West Midlands Fire Service chief makes promise to build on 'exceptional work brigade is known for'

 Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill was appointed two months ago after what he described as a challenging and turbulent 12 months for the emergency service and has been touring departments to meet colleagues. 

He is the third person to be announced as head of the fire in the space of 12 months.

In a message to staff he said: “My primary focus will be on building upon the exceptional work that this service is already known for. After what I know was a challenging and at times turbulent 2024 I aim to provide a sense of stability and continuity for everyone across the organisation.

“To achieve this I believe it is essential to engage with you directly, to understand you, your watches, teams, departments and your needs. 

"This will help us not only to maintain our high standards but also to address areas where we can grow and improve. I’m delighted to have such a high calibre of leaders around me, who I will be leaning on heavily as I start to build my understanding of how WMFS works.

“We work in an incredible part of the country, and it’s a privilege for us to serve the public.

“Thank you once again for the warm welcome and for your ongoing dedication to the service and the communities we serve. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the weeks and months ahead. 

"My door is always open, so please don’t hesitate to stop by or say hello if you see me around. Together, I’m confident we can make 2025 a successful and rewarding year.”

The service has been under the spotlight after a former interim chief executive Oliver Lee, who took over after the death of former chief Wayne Brown last January, and former chairman of the West Midlands Fire Authority, Wolverhampton councillor Greg Brackenridge both left their posts.

Then Ben Brook the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service chief was appointed in autumn, but withdrew four days later after deciding there was "work still to be done" back in Warwickshire. 

Mr Tuhill was previously the  deputy chief fire officer at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue.

In November an auditors' report listed a number of "significant weaknesses" in the running of the service including that it breached its constitution in the suspension of an un-named senior officer last May, failed to follow the correct procedures in the appointment of a senior officer earning in excess of £100,000 per annum, and had not complied with its responsibilities in checking out the educational qualifications of Mr Brown.