Firestyle Magazine: Issue 6 - Winter 2016

FIRE SERVICE RELATED
West Yorkshire
appoints new Chief Fire Officer
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority is delighted to announce the appointment
of John Roberts as the new Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of the Service.
Mr Roberts, who is currently Deputy
Chief Fire Officer of South Yorkshire
Fire and Rescue, will replace West
Yorkshire’s current CFO Simon Pilling
on 1 February 2017.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
Authority’s (WYFRA) Executive
Committee, led by Chair of the
Authority Councillor Judith Hughes,
managed the selection process.
Councillor Hughes, said: “While the
exceptional quality of candidates
made it a difficult decision to make,
Mr Roberts proved himself to be
outstanding both during interview
and on paper.
“Mr Roberts has had particular
success in the past with progressing
partnership work and we look
forward to him moving the Service
forward here, while at the same
time bringing a period of stability.
“I know I speak of both myself and
my councillor colleagues when I
say that we look forward to working
with Mr Roberts and we are excited
about what the future holds.”
Councillor Hughes added: “I
would also like to wish CFO Pilling
the best for his retirement. He has
been an outstanding Chief and his
experience has proved invaluable
to the Service in recent years.”
CFO Simon Pilling said: “I would like
to congratulate Mr Roberts on his
appointment and wish him well
when he takes the reins next year. I
am confident he will be a real asset
to West Yorkshire and that his hopes
and ambitions for the Service will
bring real benefits to the public we
serve.”
Mr Roberts said: “I am looking
forward to leading WYFRS, despite
the many challenges ahead. The
fire and rescue service continues to
operate in uncertain times, with the
requirement to make further savings.
However, I am confident that WYFRS
will continue to deliver a high quality
level of service to its communities. It
goes without saying that WYFRS has
an excellent reputation, and it is a
privilege to have been selected.”
Mr Roberts started his career at
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
and carried out a secondment in
the Department for Communities
and Local Government before
moving to South Yorkshire Fire and
Rescue in 2009. He was appointed
to the position of Assistant Chief Fire
Officer in 2012 and Deputy Chief Fire
Officer in April 2015. He is married
with three young children and a
keen football player and supporter,
being a fan of Liverpool FC.
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