Minister Visits West Midlands Region

The Minister pictured with Fire Authority Chairs and Chief Fire Officers from the region. Back row (left to right): Chief Fire Officers: Alan Taylor, William Brown, Frank Sheehan, Alan Doig, Paul Hayden. Front row (left to right): Cllr Nigel Hartin, Cllr Richard Hobbs, Angela Smith MP, Cllr David Hinton, Cllr Derek Davis, Cllr Godfrey Davis.

Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, with responsibilities for the Fire and Rescue Service, today visited Telford, Shropshire to attend the Programme Board meeting of West Midlands Regional Management Board (WMRMB).

The Minister met with elected Members and Officers from the five Fire and Rescue Authorities that compose WMRMB and received progress presentations on region’s initiatives to deliver further modernisation of the region’s Fire and Rescue Services. The Minister applauded the efforts of Members and Officers in delivering a modernised Service noting the positive culture of collaboration and partnership that had been successfully established since the formation of WMRMB.

Prior to the Board meeting the Minister observed construction of the region’s new regional control centre (RCC) at Wolverhampton Business Park. She recommended to the Board that the very evident leadership qualities that exist within region should be channeled to deliver the full benefits of the planned RCC.