New fire boss hopes his vision will silence critics

Chief pledges to bring stability and calm to beleaguered service

- JANE HAYNES News Reporter

WEST Midlands Fire Service’s new boss has pledged to bring stability and calm after 15 months of trauma following the high-profile death of Wayne Brown and its tumultuous aftermath.

Simon Tuhill, in post now for four months, said he wanted to build on the ‘incredibly positive’ welcome he had received touring the service's stations and workshops during his early tenure.

He said his vision was to ensure everyone in the service felt part of ‘one team’ - and early signs were promising, with none of the ‘negativity’ that a year of difficult headlines might have led him to expect, he said.

But he admitted the loss of Mr Brown, one of a series of tragic deaths of fire service past and present personnel last year, and its aftermath had clearly impacted staff.

"We need to remember that Wayne leaves behind a family who continue to grieve, and many people here at the fire service still feel his loss keenly," said Mr Tuhill.

"Tragically we lost several other colleagues last year, all of whom are remembered.