Date of Request
23/11/25
Request
Dear HWFRS FOI Team,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide all evidence held by HWFRS (2010–2024) that directly supports the requirement for officer response cars to be:
all-wheel drive / 4×4
large SUVs
estate-type vehicles with 500L+ boot space
capable of wading 400mm
fitted with hill-descent control
fitted with traction control
fitted with 18”+ wheels
fitted with heated windscreen / mirrors
fitted with fog lights
fitted with headlamp washers
fitted with rear parking sensors
Please provide:
Any incident logs showing where these features were required.
Any evidence of officer vehicles becoming stuck, unable to access locations, or failing to respond due to lack of 4×4 capability.
Any risk assessments justifying these specifications.
Any terrain or weather-related operational analysis supporting these requirements.
Any internal reports, briefing papers, or emails that set out the operational need for these features.
Any consultation records with officers that resulted in these specifications.
Any comparison documents evaluating non-SUV or non-4×4 vehicles.
Any evidence that non-4×4 vehicles were tested and rejected based on operational performance.
Electronic copies preferred.
Kind regards,
Response
Good Afternoon,
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 partially held and is contained within the attached documents. The IRS system does not record the need for specific vehicle features so no relevant incident logs would be available.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance 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