West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is pleased to welcome Simon Tuhill as the new Chief Fire Officer (CFO), who officially began his role on Monday 6 January.

CFO Tuhill has committed to “building upon the exceptional work that this service is already known for,” as he outlined in his first message to staff and the wider West Midlands community.

He will be visiting fire stations and departments throughout the week to meet colleagues and learn more about the service, following his appointment in November from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

In a message to staff, CFO Tuhill shared his priorities:

“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.”

Simon Tuhill

Chief Fire Officer

Sometimes the public may think that the fire service is only about our response work when we turn up after you dial 999 to help when you need us the most. But today’s fire service is so much more than this.

CFO Tuhill also shared a message for the communities of the West Midlands:

“It’s truly a privilege to lead this service and its staff who are so dedicated to keeping the West Midlands safe. I’m delighted to have started and am looking forward to getting out and about across every part of the West Midlands.

“Sometimes the public may think that the fire service is only about our response work when we turn up after you dial 999 to help when you need us the most. But today’s fire service is so much more than this. We have protection teams who deliver work to keep your complex built environment safe. Our prevention teams engage with every part of the community, and our key partners, to prevent emergencies happening in the first place.

“We also have many talented and valued staff who are critical in supporting the service to carry out its delivery. All these colleagues work together, as one team, to keep our residents, businesses and visitors safe. I will work tirelessly to make sure that WMFS continues this great work, and I make no apologies for the fact that I will regularly be showcasing the incredible work my new colleagues, from across every area of the service, do. I will also be engaging with you as we review the way we deliver services to the people of the West Midlands to make sure our service continues to be fit for the 21st century.”

Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill stood in uniform with his hands held together formally.

Background

CFO Tuhill brings with him 22 years of fire service experience. He began his career with London Fire Brigade in 1998, where he attended major incidents, including the 7 July bombings, for which he received a commendation, and the Grenfell Tower fire. His leadership experience includes managerial roles in areas such as Camden, Southwark and Brent.

In 2020, he became Area Commander and later Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service before moving to Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service as Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

During his time in Northamptonshire, including a period as Interim CFO, he guided the service through significant organisational and political challenges, working closely with staff to improve the service while maintaining stability.