Date of Request
17/11/25
Request
Dear FOI Team,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide a full historical record of the vehicles allocated to flexi-duty officers over the past 20–25 years.
Please provide:
1. Vehicle Timeline (20–25 Years)
For each year (or each period where a change occurred), please provide:
The make and model of officer vehicles in use
Whether the vehicles were standard cars or 4×4/SUV-type
The year/period when HWFRS first moved to higher-specification or luxury 4×4/SUV models (e.g., Land Rover, Discovery Sport, Volvo)
2. Decision-Makers
For each change in vehicle type over the last 20–25 years, please provide:
Who approved the decision (job title or committee)
Any senior officers or managers involved in signing off the change
Any roles responsible for procurement at the time
3. Supporting Documents
For each vehicle change, please provide:
Any business cases, reports, minutes, papers, or procurement documents that authorised the transition
Any rationale or justification given at the time for changing vehicle type (e.g., operational need, resilience, cost, policy change)
4. Cost Comparisons (If Available)
Any documents comparing:
The previous standard vehicles
The newer 4×4/SUV/luxury models being introduced
Including any operational or financial assessments where held.
5. Current Officer Vehicle Policy
Please provide the current written policy (if one exists) that sets out:
The criteria for selecting officer vehicles
The required vehicle type or specification
The process for approving future changes
Regards,
Clear Source Media
Response
Good Morning
We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is held and is as per the below responses:
1. Vehicle Timeline (20–25 Years)
The Service’s Fleet Strategy is reviewed every 5 years; please see attached. Updated strategy is currently under review
For each year (or each period where a change occurred), please provide:
The make and model of officer vehicles in use
From Present to 2011 – 2021 Volvo XC60 Hybrid, 2018 Volvo XC60, 2016 Land Rover Discovery Sports, 2011 Land Rover Freelander, Pre 2011 Skoda & Ford.
Whether the vehicles were standard cars or 4×4/SUV-type All-wheel drive SUVs
The year/period when HWFRS first moved to higher-specification or luxury 4×4/SUV models (e.g., Land Rover, Discovery Sport, Volvo)
Moved to Land Rover Freelanders in 2011
2. Decision-Makers
For each change in vehicle type over the last 20–25 years, please provide:
Who approved the decision (job title or committee) Fleet Manager / Strategic Leadership Board
Any senior officers or managers involved in signing off the change
Fleet Manager / Strategic Leadership Board
Any roles responsible for procurement at the time Fleet Manager / Strategic Leadership Board
3. Supporting Documents
For each vehicle change, please provide:
Any business cases, reports, minutes, papers, or procurement documents that authorised the transition
Please see the Procurement website at Procurement | Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Authority Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee Meeting of 26th January 2022 at CMIS > Meetings. The Service’s 2021-25 Fleet Strategy is attached.
Any rationale or justification given at the time for changing vehicle type (e.g., operational need, resilience, cost, policy change)
Officer Decision Notices listed at CMIS > Documents > Document Library
4. Cost Comparisons (If Available)
Any documents comparing:
The previous standard vehicles
The newer 4×4/SUV/luxury models being introduced
Including any operational or financial assessments where held.
Please see the attached Review document.
5. Current Officer Vehicle Policy
Please provide the current written policy (if one exists) that sets out:
The criteria for selecting officer vehicles
The required vehicle type or specification
The process for approving future changes
Please see the attached Review document.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards,
Information Governance Team