The struggling West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) has once again found itself searching for a permanent leader after the man expected to take charge turned down the job.

The looming question of who will lead the department has been an ongoing issue since the sudden death in January of former Chief Officer Wayne Brown.

Controversies, problematic LinkedIn posts, and numerous reversals have plagued the service throughout 2024.

The BBC looked at WMFS’ search for a new leader and why the question of who will take over the rudderless service remains unanswered.

The West Midlands Fire Service made history in 2023 by appointing Wayne Brown as head of the service, making him the UK’s first black fire chief.

But less than a year later, he would be found dead at his Birmingham home.

On January 24 this year, the service confirmed that it had launched an investigation in claims he made on social media about a degree in business administration – a requirement for the job.

But later in the day they announced that he had died suddenly.

Greg Brackenridge, chairman of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said his death was not being treated by police as suspicious.

An investigation into the circumstances of his death was opened and adjourned in February and is expected to continue into March 2025.

Following Mr Brown’s death, Oliver Lee – who was the youngest full colonel in the Royal Marines since the Second World War – was appointed acting head of the service.

However, his tenure as prime minister was mired in controversy after he made several statements critical of the force.

In an article on LinkedIn in Septemberhe said the service’s governance lacked “courage, transparency, care and honesty”.

A month later, he took to the social media site again, emphasizing his intention to pass a motion of no confidence in WMFS.

He then shared what he said was the contents of a message from Mr Brackenridge, allegedly expressing disappointment at Mr Lee’s comments.

Mr Lee said the content of the message – about which he made several accusations – showed why “West Midlands firefighters cannot perform”.

A week later, Mr. Lee was suspended by the service.

In a statement, a WMFS spokesperson said: “This is not a decision the fire department ever wanted to make, or one they take lightly.”

On October 11, Mr. Lee turned to LinkedIn again, this time resign from serviceclaiming that he had been “threatened on several occasions, mainly for remaining silent on vital matters of public interest”.

However, three days later Mr Lee attempted to withdraw his resignation after Mr Brackenridge also left the authority, because of allegations regarding his own CV.

The president had previously faced criticism from various quarters, including from opposition advisers, after claims about his qualifications were made on social media.

Mr Brackenridge, an elected member of Wolverhampton City Council, said the events of recent months were an “unnecessary distraction”.

However, he did not specify the nature of the events to which he was referring.

Mr Lee’s attempt to recall his resignation was refused by WMFS, which had launched a search for its next permanent leader.

Following the wave of resignations, Wendy Morton, MP for Aldridge Brownhills, called for an independent public inquiry into the service’s bosses.

She said there were “deep-rooted and troubling issues” and “too many unanswered questions.”

In November, it looked like WMFS had found its new boss, announcing the appointment of Ben Brookwho was previously Chief Fire Officer of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr. Brook impressed a large number of candidates with his “experience and ability to drive change,” a statement said.

But a few days later, on Monday, Mr Brook said he had changed his mind after a “period of reflection over the weekend”.

“Ben feels the pull of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and the work that remains to be done there is greater than the pull to the West Midlands, and so he has informed us that he will continue to practice his role there,” said the vice-presidential advisor. Catherine Miks said.

“We had an exceptional candidate pool and the decision to whom to offer the CFO position was extremely close, so we are working on our next steps.”