Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 29/09/2009 09:10

Cornwall County Fire Brigade will change its name to Cornwall Fire and Rescue to better reflect what the service actually delivers. The name change will come into force from 1 October although rebranding will be phased in and changes made as and when replacements to vehicles, equipment and uniform are required.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for stronger communities Lance Kennedy said: “It is time to change the name of the service so it better reflects what it actually delivers which goes far beyond dealing with fires. This ranges from community safety projects and supporting community values to being at the sharp end when dealing with road traffic collision extrication, animal and water rescues.”

The Brigade also welcomes a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer as Paul Walker joins the team.

Paul was formerly with Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service where he was Central Area Commander responsible for service delivery across the Barnstaple, Bideford, Exeter and Exmouth Groups in Devon.

Before that he held a number of Service Delivery and Service Support roles in Somerset FRS and the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

In 2006 he worked for Communities & Local Government as a Team Leader for Operational Assessment of Service Delivery and reviewed seven Fire and Rescue Services including two from our family group. He is currently studying on the Fire & Rescue Service Executive Leadership Programme with Warwick University as part of his personal development programme.

Paul comments: “I am delighted to join Cornwall County Fire Brigade and I am looking forward to meeting colleagues, members and partners. I am committed to supporting the improvement agenda and to positioning Cornwall County Fire Brigade as a high performing, modern and inclusive organisation that is fully integrated into the wider community safety agenda across the County.”

Paul joining the team contributes to fulfilling one of the aims of the Brigade’s Improvement Programme to have key personnel in place to contribute to a period of stability.

Lance Kennedy, cabinet member for stronger communities said: “I am really pleased to welcome Paul to the team. He will bring new visions and ideas which, when combined with the excellence of the current staff, will ensure that the communities of Cornwall can look forward to having one of the best fire and rescue services available.”

The Improvement Programme team is made up of Brigade personnel some of whom have been in the service for a long period of time and others who are new to the service and bring new ideas to the table.

It is overseen by an Improvement Board led by Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury and Cornwall Council Chief Executive Kevin Lavery. The Board was initially set up to respond to issues raised by the Audit Commission Report on Cornwall County Fire Brigade's Direction of Travel in January this year which highlighted the areas in which both the brigade and the then County Council needed to focus on improving.

Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury said: “The Improvement Board is pleased with the progress being made as we examine the service’s aims and ambitions as well as its procedures and specific areas of its work.”

Related link: The Structure of Cornwall County Fire Brigade

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7135