Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 17/04/2009 16:05

Cornwall Council has appointed its new Chief Fire Officer, Des Tidbury of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, after an extensive recruitment and assessment process.

Des is currently Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Wiltshire, where he has had responsibility for corporate planning and performance and was part of the team that oversaw the service’s CPA re-categorisation from ‘weak’ to ‘fair’.

Interim Chief Fire Officer, Terry Standing said of the appointment, “Des has demonstrated throughout the extremely tough recruitment process that he has the necessary leadership skills, experience and energy to continue the journey that Cornwall’s fire service started in January. This kind of leadership is extremely important to the service if it is going to meet the needs of the improvement board and of course the new Cornwall Council, as well as the service as a whole.

“I am personally delighted with the result and believe we have made a good choice to take Cornwall’s fire service forward.”

Des has 30 years experience in the fire service, having joined Royal Berkshire FRS in February 1979, working his way through the ranks, becoming Assistant Chief Officer in 2003. Whilst at Royal Berks, Des had experience at Watch, Station and Divisional Command level and headed up training & development, service delivery and support services. During his time as ACO, he was Gold Commander at the Ufton Nervet train crash and also led a successful Integrated Risk Management Planning process that in 2007 set the blue print for emergency cover in Berkshire for the next 5 years.

Speaking of his appointment, Des said: “I feel extremely privileged to have been appointed CFO of Cornwall Fire Brigade. I believe that my previous experience combined with the energy and local knowledge of the managers and staff at Cornwall Fire Brigade will build an effective team that will remain focused on making Cornwall a safer place in which to live, work and visit.”

Ken Yeo, Executive Member for Public Protection added, “We are extremely pleased to welcome someone of Des’ calibre to the fire service in Cornwall. He has an excellent track record and I have no doubt he will take the service forward, continuing the good work Terry Standing has started as Interim Chief. I would also like to thank Terry, not only for his dedication to the service since he came to us in January but his commitment to finding the right fire Chief to continue the journey.”

It is hoped that subject to his authority’s approval, Des will join Cornwall County Fire Brigade on 1 June 2009.