Shropshire Fire Service Names New Chief Fire Officer
Big changes are coming to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as current Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton steps down after 30 years. Simon Hardiman has been handpicked as his successor, with the Authority giving the green light for a January 2023 start.
Simon Hardiman: Ready to Lead
Simon Hardiman, a seasoned fire service pro, 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.”
Starting his career in 2001 with West Midlands Fire Service and later joining Shropshire as Area Manager for Operational Risk Management in 2018, Simon promises to keep SFRS top-notch. He added: “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.”
Farewell to Rod Hammerton
Rod Hammerton, retiring at the end of the year, reflected on his time: “Being a firefighter has been the most fulfilling job I could have hoped for, and it is bittersweet to be retiring after 30 years of working with such wonderful colleagues and partners.”
He’s proud of the progress made under his watch, stating: “I have overseen significant improvements to make us a more inclusive organisation that really tries to work with and develop its staff. This will help Simon as he faces the challenges of the next few years, but he has the confidence of the organisation, and I am confident he will do a great job as Chief.”
Authority Backs New Leadership
Chairman Councillor Eric Carter expressed confidence in Simon Hardiman: “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.”
An official handover is set for 15 December 2022, marking a fresh chapter for Shropshire’s fire crews.
