521 03 26 – Chief Fire Officer’s Vehicle – Replacement Timing and Fleet Allocation (July 2026)

Date of Request

02/03/2026

Request

Dear Governance Team,

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, please provide the following recorded information relating to the vehicle currently allocated to the Chief Fire Officer / Head of Paid Service.

  1. Please confirm the make, model, registration year and date of entry into service of the vehicle currently allocated to the Chief Fire Officer.
  2. Please confirm whether this vehicle was purchased under Capital Scheme 414 “Hybrid Response” (£44,460.34) in the 2024/25 Capital Programme. If not, please identify the relevant capital or lease scheme under which it was acquired.
  3. Please confirm the procurement route used to acquire this vehicle, including any framework reference number (for example Crown Commercial Service framework reference) and provide the publication reference number (if any) relating to this procurement.
  4. Please confirm the make, model, registration year and date of entry into service of the vehicle it replaced.
  5. Please confirm the formally adopted replacement cycle (in years) for Officer Response Vehicles at the time this vehicle was approved for purchase.
  6. If the vehicle was replaced earlier than the standard replacement cycle, please provide the recorded business case, approval document, or written rationale authorising that early replacement.
  7. Please confirm whether the vehicle is included within the current fleet total of 36 Officer Response Vehicles referenced in the Fleet Plan 2026–30.
  8. Please confirm whether the vehicle is included within the 34 Officer Response Vehicles due to be replaced in 2026/27, or whether it falls outside that replacement programme.
  9. Please confirm the planned replacement year for this vehicle.

I am requesting recorded information only.

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 as below.

  1. Please confirm the make, model, registration year and date of entry into service of the vehicle currently allocated to the Chief Fire Officer.

Volvo XC60 Plug In Hybrid Plus Black Edition AWD. Date of entry into service March 2025.

  1. Please confirm whether this vehicle was purchased under Capital Scheme 414 “Hybrid Response” (£44,460.34) in the 2024/25 Capital Programme. If not, please identify the relevant capital or lease scheme under which it was acquired.

Yes

  1. Please confirm the procurement route used to acquire this vehicle, including any framework reference number (for example Crown Commercial Service framework reference) and provide the publication reference number (if any) relating to this procurement.

The Chief Fire Officer is authorised to procure one (1) Volvo XC60 Plug In Hybrid Plus Black Edition AWD without inviting competitive tenders, pursuant to paragraph 3.1 (e) of the Authority’s Contract Standing Orders. 

  1. Please confirm the make, model, registration year and date of entry into service of the vehicle it replaced.

Volvo XC60 Diesel Hybrid. Registration year 2022. Date of entry into service 2022. Sold 2025.

  1. Please confirm the formally adopted replacement cycle (in years) for Officer Response Vehicles at the time this vehicle was approved for purchase.

See Fleet Plan 2021-25 at this link. “Aspirational fleet replacement ages…Responding Officers Cars 3/4 years”

  1. If the vehicle was replaced earlier than the standard replacement cycle, please provide the recorded business case, approval document, or written rationale authorising that early replacement.

See Fleet Plan 2021-25 at this link – “However, there may be a requirement for a significant deviation of parts of the existing Fleet Plan whereby for example:…The Service has a need to develop, introduce or trial new technology or concepts which may present different ways of working or a different model of delivery to the communities served such as electric powered vehicles to reduce the service carbon footprint.”

  1. Please confirm whether the vehicle is included within the current fleet total of 36 Officer Response Vehicles referenced in the Fleet Plan 2026–30.

Yes

  1. Please confirm whether the vehicle is included within the 34 Officer Response Vehicles due to be replaced in 2026/27, or whether it falls outside that replacement programme.

Yes, included.

  1. Please confirm the planned replacement year for this vehicle.

2026-27

If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail at informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).

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