Date of Request
07/05/24
Request
Dear FOI officer
I am writing to make a request for all the information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Could you please supply me with the following information concerning firefighter recruitment, as outlined below.
- How many females applied to be wholetime firefighters in 2023?
- How many males applied to be wholetime firefighters in 2023?
- How many female firefighters were successful in becoming wholetime firefighters in 2023 after the recruitment process?
- How many male firefighters were successful in becoming wholetime firefighters in 2023 after the recruitment process?
I would like the above information to be provided to me electronically if possible
If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.
If any of this information is already in the public domain, please can you direct me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.
If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in Section 12, please provide advice and assistance, under the Section 16 obligations of the Act, as to how I can refine my request.
If the release of any of this information is prohibited on the grounds of breach of confidence, I ask that you supply me with copies of the confidentiality agreement and remind you that information should not be treated as confidential if such an agreement has not been signed.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within the 20 working days after you receive this letter. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request.
If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or phone and I will be very happy to clarify what I am asking for and discuss the request, my details are outlined below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Response
Good Morning
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 is held and can be found below:
- How many females applied to be wholetime firefighters in 2023? 70
- How many males applied to be wholetime firefighters in 2023? 355
- How many female firefighters were successful in becoming wholetime firefighters in 2023 after the recruitment process? 0. However, the Service has had 2 female firefighters (as of 08/05/2024) join the Service since the 2023 wholetime recruitment process finished.
- How many male firefighters were successful in becoming wholetime firefighters in 2023 after the recruitment? 6. However, the Service has had 14 male firefighters (as of 08/05/2024) join the Service since the 2023 wholetime recruitment process finished.
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