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Jul 2021

Last Updated: 02/07/2021

Politics

Commissioner chooses preferred chief fire officer candidate

by Calvin Robinson

| 02 Jul, 2021

The North Yorkshire police, fire and crime commissioner has chosen his preferred candidate to be interim chief fire officer. It follows current chief fire officer, Andrew Brodie, announcing his retirement this summer.

Jon Foster, who has been selected to be interim chief fire officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.

North Yorkshire's police, fire and crime commissioner has selected his preferred candidate to be interim chief fire officer.

Philip Allott has chosen Jon Foster, who is currently deputy chief fire officer for the county, for the position.

It follows current chief fire officer, Andrew Brodie, announcing his retirement from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue this summer.

Mr Foster started his career at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1983 as an on-call firefighter at Boroughbridge.

He pursued his ambition to join as a wholetime firefighter in 1994 and has since worked in a wide range of roles across the county, before being made deputy chief fire officer in September 2019.

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Mr Foster will be recommended to the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel to be approved for the role next month.

Mr Allott said:

“Our communities are some of the safest places to live in the country and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service plays a hugely important role in ensuring that continues. It was important to select the best person to lead the team, and I am delighted to recommend Jon Foster for that role over the next 12 months.

“As the current deputy chief fire officer, and having worked within the service for the past 38 years, Jon is someone who knows North Yorkshire and York inside out. He has the respect of colleagues and the commitment to continue the work to create an even stronger and sustainable service.

“Resources are always constrained, but I was impressed by Jon’s commitment to innovation in response and preventative practices, and his desire to ensure we have an emergency service which reflects the communities they serve.

“Subject to the panel’s approval of Jon’s suitability at their confirmation hearing, I look forward to working with him to deliver a modern, reactive and respected organisation that protects people and property, and saves lives.”

Mr Foster said:

“I am delighted to be afforded the opportunity to serve the public of North Yorkshire as interim chief fire officer.

"I started my fire service career in 1983 at Boroughbridge as a retained firefighter and feel immensely privileged to be the preferred candidate to lead the service about which I am passionate. I look forward to addressing the panel later this month. With their approval, I will look forward to working alongside the commissioner to deliver a high-quality service to the public.”

If approved by the panel, Mr Foster will take up the role on July 22.

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Commissioner chooses preferred chief fire officer candidate

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