Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service appoint new deputy chief officer

Rob Taylor will become the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer for the county in August later this year, following the retirement of the current Deputy Chief Fire Officer Rick Roberts.

Area manager Rob Taylor was appointed this week by the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority Brigade Managers’ Appointments Panel, supported by Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Gavin Tomlinson and Chief Constable, Rachel Swann, following a selection process.

The new deputy officer who is from Buxton, began his fire service career at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service before transferring to Derbyshire in December 2008 as a firefighter.

He first served at Buxton Fire Station until his promotion to station manager in 2016 and in addition to being a firefighter, Rob was also an on-call watch manager between 2013 and 2016.

As a station manager, he worked in operational training at the fire service’s joint training centre before his promotion to group manager where he led the services prevention and inclusion department.

Rob has been an area manager since 2019, initially with responsibility for community safety and more recently service delivery.

The Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority councillor Kevin Buttery said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rob Taylor as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, taking over the position from the current Deputy, Rick Roberts who is retiring from the Service in July this year.

“Rob, who has been a longstanding valued member of the Service’s strategic leadership team, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skill that will ensure the Service continues to improve, whilst remaining a high achieving fire and rescue service, delivering first class efficient and effective services to the communities of Derbyshire.”

Rob said: ‘I am immensely proud to have been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire.

‘It is an exciting time to step into this role, supporting and leading the Service as it faces the challenges ahead.

"The sector continues to evolve and look for different ways to support the needs of our diverse communities and the near future will present key opportunities to demonstrate the value that the fire service represents.”

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