Ade Elliott

Tell us about your role

As Director of Protection & Assets, I am responsible for two broad areas of the organisation.  Protection concerns legislative fire safety, essentially fire safety law covering all buildings other than domestic dwellings.  This area of work also covers our Operational Policy and Emergency Planning team, which covers national operational guidance, business continuity, and work with the West Mercia Local Resilience Forum (LRF).

I also oversee, Operational Logistics (fleet, equipment and stores), ICT, Property, Procurement, Environment and Sustainability.  In this area my role is to ensure that my departments deliver efficient and effective support to frontline operations.  Either by providing the latest fire engines and rescue equipment, computer and communications kit, or modern fire stations to deliver a quality and sustainable service to the public.

Tell us more about your fire service career

As of 2023, I have spent 20 years in the fire service.  I began my fire service career as a firefighter in Wiltshire Fire Brigade, before transferring to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) in 2006.  I have progressed through various roles before taking up the position as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in May 2022.

I am a member of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), and completed their Executive Leadership Programme in 2019, and since 2021 have acted as a gateway assessor for that national programme.  Locally I chair the West Mercia LRF tactical advisers’ group, and report to the Chief Officer Group on a regular basis.  In 2021 I completed a 5-year term as vice president of the Midlands branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and have held member grade (MIFireE) since 2014.

What makes HWFRS a great place to work?

After leaving college in 1990 I started a career as a civil engineer.  Having joined the fire and rescue service some 13 years later I enjoy working with people who, like engineers, solve problems.  The staff at HWFRS pride themselves on delivering an excellent service to the communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, making the area safer to live and work in, and that makes working here really positive.