New Chief Fire Officer Picked for Shropshire Fire Rescue
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has a brand-new boss in the wings. After CFO Rod Hammerton announced his retirement at year’s end, a fierce search was launched. Simon Hardiman emerged victorious and will take the reins from January 2023.
Simon Hardiman Ready to Fire Up SFRS
Simon, a familiar face in firefighting circles, said: “I feel very privileged to have been chosen to take on this role and to take the Service forward in the coming years. I have been proud to be part of SFRS for the last five years and I am very excited to continue this next chapter.”
His career kicked off in 2001 with West Midlands Fire Service, before he moved to Shropshire as Area Manager for Operational Risk Management in 2018. He plans to keep SFRS at the top of its game, saying: “SFRS is already a high performing Service and I plan to ensure this continues. My vision is to maintain delivery of excellent services to the communities of Shropshire, and to meet new challenges and demands placed upon us over the coming months and years.”
Rod Hammerton Bids a Bittersweet Farewell
After three decades fighting fires and seven years as Chief Fire Officer, Rod Hammerton steps down with pride. “Being a firefighter has been the most fulfilling job I could have hoped for,” he said. “I am leaving secure in the knowledge that the leadership is in good hands.”
Rod highlighted his legacy of making SFRS a more inclusive workplace and praised Simon’s ability to tackle future challenges.
Leadership Backed by Authority Chairman
Councillor Eric Carter, Chairman of the Authority, welcomed Simon with open arms: “We are thrilled to have chosen Simon Hardiman as the new Chief of SFRS. We are confident he will lead the Service in a positive direction and continue the good work Rod has done over the last six years.”
The official handover is set for 15 December 2022, with Simon ready to spark a new chapter for Shropshire’s firefighting heroes.
