The purpose of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is to save and protect life, property and the environment from fire and other emergencies.
The Service is led by Chief Fire Officer Simon Hardiman
Our core values are:
Service to the Community –
We place people and communities first by…
- Working with all groups to reduce risk and protect life
- Treating everyone fairly and with respect
- Being accountable to the communities we serve
- Continually striving to improve the service we provide
People –
We support our teams by…
- Promoting fairness, kindness and dignity
- Recognising and celebrating effort and achievement
- Building trust through open, honest communication
- Supporting personal development and wellbeing
- Encouraging teamwork, inclusion and mutual respect
Diversity
We value difference and ensure equality by…
- Treating everyone with respect
- Providing accessible and inclusive services
- Ensuring equal opportunities for all
- Challenging bias, prejudice and discriminatory behaviour
Improvement –
We grow together by…
- Taking responsibility for our learning and performance
- Being open-minded and willing to learn
- Welcoming feedback and new perspectives
- Learning from experience
- Involving and listening to others
Geographical area of operation
The county of Shropshire is England’s largest inland county occupying approximately 3,490 square kilometres. The English counties of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the Welsh counties of Powys and Wrexham bound the county.
Shropshire is one the UK’s most rural counties – with a relatively low population spread out over a relatively large area.
Local risks
The local risks within Shropshire are diverse ranging from dwellings in remote, rural locations to major industrial centres and significant heritage properties. The county is rich with historic areas, having in excess of 500 listed buildings, and is home to the Ironbridge Gorge which is universally accepted as the birthplace of the industrial revolution.
The county has an extensive road transport network with the majority of ‘A’ classified road forming a link between the West Midlands and North Wales, and a number of lesser roads used by local transport to rural businesses. The rail network also carries heavy commercial traffic. Shropshire is home to a numerous waterways including the River Severn and Union Canal systems predominantly used for recreational activity.
The main commercial centres of the county are located in Telford and Shrewsbury, with smaller market towns having thriving community facilities for trade and leisure. Telford, formerly an industrial new town continues to expand as a commercial venue with its motorway link into the industrial heartlands of the West Midlands, and is home to many large multi-national technology manufacturers and smaller support businesses. Shropshire is also home to Royal Air Force Cosford and Shawbury, the latter being the armed forces’ central helicopter training school. The Army also houses Europe’s largest stores depot at Donnington, Telford.
Partnership working
We have links with our neighbouring Fire and Rescue Services, most notably a Memorandum of Understanding with Hereford and Worcester FRS. This partnership aims to bring our Fire Control departments closer together to improve working practice and increase resilience.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service also collaborates with Shropshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, West Mercia Police, West Mercia SAR & West Midlands Ambulance Service to help deliver a better service to our community.