Shropshire's Chief Fire Officer to return to work following independent investigation

Simon Hardiman says he accepts lessons need to be learned.

Author: Ben CartwrightPublished 25th Sep 2024

The Chief Fire Officer of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is set to return to work following an independent investigation into concerns raised about behaviour.

The investigation, raised earlier this year, has now concluded and has issued CFO Simon Hardiman a written warning and has imposed he complete mandatory training.

On their website, the Fire Service say the Fire Authority’s Personnel Panel has met and taken appropriate action.

Chair of the Fire Authority, Councillor David Minnery, said:

“The Fire Authority commissioned an independent and external investigation to look into the complaints raised against CFO Hardiman.

“The Personnel Panel considered the information provided from that investigation and have gone through due process in their decision-making. The action taken was to impose a written warning and a mandatory training requirement. The matter is now closed. I am pleased CFO Hardiman will now be coming back to work.”

CFO Hardiman, said:

“I recognise this has been an unsettling time for the Service and I want to apologise for the upset that has been caused.

“Whilst I am confident that what has been reported publicly doesn’t represent me as an individual or the Service I am so proud to lead, I do of course recognise there are lessons to be learned.

“I am looking forward to getting back to doing the job I love and to working alongside such a great team at Shropshire Fire and Rescue.”

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.