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Dr. STEVE SADLER

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Expert in Fire Service Research, Strategy, and On-Call Resilience.

He has been told he delivers data-driven presentations with aplomb, and speeches about SaaS with class (and a touch of Sass.)​

Subject Matter Expertise
  • Fire & Rescue Service On-call Strategy – Supports services to optimize on-call availability, resource allocation, and operational effectiveness.

  • Research-Driven Insights – Applies academic expertise to enhance fire service policies, workforce surveys, recruitment, and workforce resilience.

  • SaaS & Tech for Fire Services ‘Fit for the Future’ aspirations – Supports digital transformation and smarter workforce planning through innovative software solutions.

Speaker Experience & Career Highlights

 

Welsh Government, Social Partnership (Oct 2024) - 'The Future of the RDS in Wales.'

National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) On-call conference (Sept, 2024) ‘Recruitment, Diversity and Skills’ project speaking - collaboration with ORH & Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

FRSA podcast (2025) - In Conversation with 'Dr Steven Sadler' – On-call culture, recruitment, retention, Strategic Workforce Planning and fire engine resource allocation

Irish Chief Fire Officers Association Conference, Meath County, Ireland (2024) - Tech Talk (on behalf of FireServiceRota)

Mid and West Wales On-call Conference (2024) – Research topics related to their On-call Improvement Programme

Occupational Research in Health (AKA Process Evolution), Fire Conference (2023), Reading Football Club.

NFCC On-call conference (2023) - 'Sustaining Success' - Shropshire project presented as part of NFCC On-call conference

Irish Fire and Rescue Service's Senior Officers Seminar (2022) - Keynote speaker over 2 consecutive days

Shropshire On-call Conference (2022) – Project presentation for 'Sustaining Success' and motivational speaking

BAPCO (2024) - 'Smart Alerting: Fire and Rescue Services becoming Fit for the Future'

FIRE magazine webinar (2023) ‘On call to Action’ alongside NFFC On-call lead and Lancashire FRS DCFO Steve Healey

Various podcasts appearances (2022, 2023, 2024): The Firefighters podcast x 3 - Recruitment and Retention solutions; Sustaining Success; On-call awareness and the Firefighters charity; FIRE podcast with the splendid host Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch OBE and DCFO Steve Healey,

BIO...

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."

Since 2019, I have dedicated the time given to me to bring research-led approaches to bear on the Fire and Rescue Services greatest challenges: Culture and On-call fire engine availability. With over a decade of operational experience across four Fire and Rescue Services in England and the analytical expertise of a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Keele University, I bring a unique combination of frontline insights and data-driven strategies to enhance the availability, well-being, and effectiveness of On-call firefighters. In Developing a Research-Led model of Good Practice for the Availability of On-call fire engines I supported Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service by producing one of the UK’s most comprehensive projects tackling the perennial problem of On-call fire engine availability. As the founder of re-enkindle Ltd, my mission is to support Fire and Rescue Services in applying contemporary research and data-driven methodologies to optimise On-call recruitment, retention and use of resources. Since its inception, re-enkindle has delivered five large-scale projects and reports, including Shropshire, Mid and West Wales, Kent, and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services, continuously innovating new tools to support Fire and Rescue Services. Author of several commissioned papers, I have led projects that have directly influenced strategic advancements, including the development of HMICFRS Action Plans recognised in inspection reports. Key accomplishments include: Delivering the most comprehensive On-call project ever commissioned, leading to Shropshire FRS sustaining its On-call success and earning a shortlist nomination for FIRE’s Innovation of the Year. Consulting with over 20 Fire and Rescue Services, providing insights that improve recruitment, retention, and availability of On-call firefighters. Speaking at senior leadership events, including Ireland’s Senior Officers Seminars and Chief Fire Officers Conference, and the National Fire Chiefs Council On-call Strategic Leadership Conference. Through re-enkindle, I work closely with Fire and Rescue Services to refine their use of SaaS, enhance data acquisition and analysis, and develop evidence-based strategies. Think of me as Fire and Rescue Services senior leaders On-call Tactical Advisor, helping services navigate challenges and drive measurable improvements in operational efficiency. My goal is to empower leaders with the research, insights, and solutions needed to ensure fire engines are available when they’re needed most—ultimately making the sector more effective, efficient, and resilient.

Testimonials

Steve’s passion and work in relation to on-call firefighters is immense. He has produced some outstanding research over many years and is so keen on working towards long term sustainable solutions to the challenges UK fire and rescue services face. He’s supported a number of fire and rescue services in recent years and always delivers great results.

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- Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Steve Healey, KFSM, Lancashire Fire and Rescue

As a predominantly On Call FRS (52 On Call watches, circa 700 personnel), we have been working with Steve for nearly three years now, using his most contemporary research into the On Call/RDS sector, as an evidenced based approach to solutions that we've implemented here in Service. His research and unique insight has underpinned our On Call Improvement Program, aimed at sustaining and improving the service our On Call/RDS provide to the communities of Mid and West Wales. An extremely genuine, credible, knowledgeable and helpful individual who seeks to help the FRS sector support the On Call/RDS system through the provision of data, insights and toolkits.

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 -Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Craig Flannery, Mid and West Wales FRS

Steve worked with us to explore improvements that we wish to make to our on call duty system. Steve's knowledge was second to none and he worked well with our team to quickly focus in on the key issues. Steve presented recommendations that were clearly articulated and wholly useful. It was a pleasure working with Steve and we look forward to working with him in the future.

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 -Matt Deadman, Director of Response, Kent Fire and Rescue Service

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