Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton to Retire After 30 Years
Rod Hammerton, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), has announced he will retire in January 2023 after over three decades in fire service.
Leading SFRS Through Success
Hammerton has held the top job at SFRS for seven years. He praised the service’s positive culture and strong leadership, especially after their glowing HMICFRS report.
“Following our glowing HMICFRS report, I am confident The Service has a really positive culture, a capable management team, we are on the most solid financial footing possible, and the service is in the safest set of hands with the FRA,” Hammerton said.
Mixed Feelings on Leaving Service
The CFO admits retirement is bittersweet. “I still enjoy my job and have never had a day when I didn’t want to come to work,” he revealed.
Working for a fire and rescue service is the highest honour. But a big part of what I’ll miss the most is the people I work with,” he added.
Before joining the fire service 30 years ago, Hammerton had a brief stint in the Royal Navy. Now, he’s ready to experience the simple joys of civilian life – like choosing what to wear each morning.
New Chief Fire Officer Search Underway
Hammerton thanked everyone at Shropshire Fire and Rescue for making his tenure a pleasure.
The hunt for his replacement will kick off in the coming months.
