WE ARE
What is 'We Are WMFS'?
It's all about our people...
Click or tap a name to find out more about them.
Watch Commander
Alex Daw
My name is Alex Daw, and I’m a Fire Investigation Officer and Dog Handler at West Midlands Fire Service. I’ve been married to Nadia for 22 years, and we have two grown-up children, Maddison (26) and Mason (21). Our family also includes Giddy, a 2½-year-old working cocker spaniel, who is the newest accelerant detection dog for West Midlands Fire Service.
I’m originally from the south, with Greek and Scottish roots, and I have a keen interest in dog behaviour, prehospital care, battlefield history (WWI & WWII), and anything fire-related. Outside of work, I enjoy CrossFit, functional exercise, and spending time with my family, especially on walks and exploring with Nadia and Giddy.
I’ve been a Fire Investigation Officer for three years and a dog handler for 18 months. Together, Giddy and I investigate fires across the West Midlands and beyond, working with other agencies to gather evidence for reports, which are often used in court cases. Our investigations cover both accidental and deliberate fires.
Giddy’s role is crucial to our work. She is trained to detect accelerants, and we participate in regular training to keep her skills sharp. As one of only nineteen accelerant detection dog teams in the UK, we also offer support regionally and nationally when required.
As part of the fire investigation and dog team, I play a key role in identifying trends and safety risks, which helps inform our Prevention Team and external partners. This can lead to actions such as product recalls or bans on unsafe items.
Additionally, Giddy and I support law enforcement by investigating arson cases, which can help secure prosecutions. We also raise awareness of fire safety by delivering demonstrations to schools, community groups, and other agencies.
Fire Dog Giddy
Woof! I’m Giddy, a 2½-year-old working cocker spaniel and proud to be West Midlands Fire Service’s newest accelerant detection dog. I come from a big family with five siblings, including my sister Ginny, who works with the East Midlands Fire Investigation Dog Team. We get to hang out during training – it’s pawsome!
I love kong tennis balls, running, and meeting new cats (even though they don’t always love me back). When I’m not sniffing out accelerants, I enjoy swimming, chasing balls, and exploring the great outdoors with Alex and his family.
I work with my handler, Alex, to investigate fires. My super-sniffing nose is trained to detect accelerants, which are often used to start fires. I help gather evidence that can be used in court to catch those naughty arsonists. Woof!
I’ve been doing this for about 18 months, and I train regularly to make sure my nose stays on top form. I’m part of a team of only nineteen dogs in the whole UK that do this job, and I get to travel around and help other areas when needed.
Woof! My job is all about keeping people safe by helping Alex and the team find out what caused fires. This means we can work with others to prevent them in the future. I also help in arson investigations, which can lead to criminals being caught and punished.
And I’m a bit of a star too! I help teach kids and community groups about fire safety with fun demonstrations – people love to watch me in action!
Hannah Spencer
I'm Hannah, and in addition to working for West Midlands Fire Service, I volunteer with the International Search and Rescue (ISAR) team, alongside colleagues from other fire and rescue services across the UK. Last year, I deployed to Malawi to assist with the rescue efforts after Cyclone Freddy.
I coordinate our Community Risk Management planning process. This involves understanding the risks that could impact the West Midlands and ensuring we use our resources effectively to plan for and mitigate those risks, keeping our communities safe. Our team of data analysts provides valuable insights that help us make informed decisions and improve the services we offer.
I use data and analysis to ensure our resources align with the needs of the community. I help identify ways to manage community risk more effectively, keeping people safe and supporting our overall strategy. My role ensures that our prevention, protection, and response teams have the information they need to deliver their services as efficiently as possible, always putting the community first.
I'm Hannah, and in addition to working for West Midlands Fire Service, I volunteer with the International Search and Rescue (ISAR) team, alongside colleagues from other fire and rescue services across the UK. Last year, I deployed to Malawi to assist with the rescue efforts after Cyclone Freddy.
I coordinate our Community Risk Management planning process. This involves understanding the risks that could impact the West Midlands and ensuring we use our resources effectively to plan for and mitigate those risks, keeping our communities safe. Our team of data analysts provides valuable insights that help us make informed decisions and improve the services we offer.
I use data and analysis to ensure our resources align with the needs of the community. I help identify ways to manage community risk more effectively, keeping people safe and supporting our overall strategy. My role ensures that our prevention, protection, and response teams have the information they need to deliver their services as efficiently as possible, always putting the community first.
Woof! I’m Giddy, a 2½-year-old working cocker spaniel and proud to be West Midlands Fire Service’s newest accelerant detection dog. I come from a big family with five siblings, including my sister Ginny, who works with the East Midlands Fire Investigation Dog Team. We get to hang out during training – it’s pawsome!
I love kong tennis balls, running, and meeting new cats (even though they don’t always love me back). When I’m not sniffing out accelerants, I enjoy swimming, chasing balls, and exploring the great outdoors with Alex and his family.
I work with my handler, Alex, to investigate fires. My super-sniffing nose is trained to detect accelerants, which are often used to start fires. I help gather evidence that can be used in court to catch those naughty arsonists. Woof!
I’ve been doing this for about 18 months, and I train regularly to make sure my nose stays on top form. I’m part of a team of only nineteen dogs in the whole UK that do this job, and I get to travel around and help other areas when needed.
Woof! My job is all about keeping people safe by helping Alex and the team find out what caused fires. This means we can work with others to prevent them in the future. I also help in arson investigations, which can lead to criminals being caught and punished.
And I’m a bit of a star too! I help teach kids and community groups about fire safety with fun demonstrations – people love to watch me in action!
My name is Alex Daw, and I’m a Fire Investigation Officer and Dog Handler at West Midlands Fire Service. I’ve been married to Nadia for 22 years, and we have two grown-up children, Maddison (26) and Mason (21). Our family also includes Giddy, a 2½-year-old working cocker spaniel, who is the newest accelerant detection dog for West Midlands Fire Service.
I’m originally from the south, with Greek and Scottish roots, and I have a keen interest in dog behaviour, prehospital care, battlefield history (WWI & WWII), and anything fire-related. Outside of work, I enjoy CrossFit, functional exercise, and spending time with my family, especially on walks and exploring with Nadia and Giddy.
I’ve been a Fire Investigation Officer for three years and a dog handler for 18 months. Together, Giddy and I investigate fires across the West Midlands and beyond, working with other agencies to gather evidence for reports, which are often used in court cases. Our investigations cover both accidental and deliberate fires.
Giddy’s role is crucial to our work. She is trained to detect accelerants, and we participate in regular training to keep her skills sharp. As one of only nineteen accelerant detection dog teams in the UK, we also offer support regionally and nationally when required.
As part of the fire investigation and dog team, I play a key role in identifying trends and safety risks, which helps inform our Prevention Team and external partners. This can lead to actions such as product recalls or bans on unsafe items.
Additionally, Giddy and I support law enforcement by investigating arson cases, which can help secure prosecutions. We also raise awareness of fire safety by delivering demonstrations to schools, community groups, and other agencies.