New assistant fire chief for South Yorkshire

A FIREFIGHTER who began his career almost three decades ago has been appointed to a senior role in South Yorkshire.

Tony Carlin has landed a new role as assistant chief fire officer at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority ,having previously held the post on a temporary basis.

Mr Carlin, who joined the service in 2000, was appointed following a selection process which included a written application, operational assessment and panel interview with members of the fire authority, the service said.

He began his career as a firefighter in North Yorkshire in 1992 and has built up a broad range of experience and has overseen areas such as community and business fire safety, workforce development, training and data and performance.

Mr Carlin has also acted as a workplace mentor to other leaders within the fire and rescue service.

He said: "It’s a very busy time for the service, with our first formal inspection in many years underway and proposals now published for how we intend to deal with annual cost pressures of up to £4 million.

"But despite the undoubted challenges we face, I know that the fire service is home to some of the best and most dedicated members of staff in any of the UK public services, and I am very proud of the role they play in making South Yorkshire safer and stronger.”

Fire Authority chair, Cllr Robert Taylor, who sits on Rotherham Council, said: "The selection process was rigorous and keenly contested.

"The final shortlist contained officers of exceptional ability, so for Tony to be the pick of those officers is an outstanding achievement.

"The qualities he demonstrated in selection will be positive assets in developing the strategies to drive the service forward in what is an extremely challenging period for the fire and rescue service ''