NI Fire Service appoint new Chief Fire and Rescue Officer

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has appointed a new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer.

Gary Thompson has served within the NIFRS for 22 years and has previously worked as the interim Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Operations.

He joined the former Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in 1994 as a retained firefighter at Antrim Fire Station, before moving to full-time service in Belfast the following year, he then became Northern Area Commander in 2012.  

Dale Ashford previously held the post on an interim basis and will now return to his role as assistant Chief Fire Officer. 

It has been a huge privilege to lead such a fantastic organisation and I look forward to giving my full support to @NIFRSThompson

— Dale Ashford QFSM (@NIFRSAshford) November 4, 2016

Carmel McKinney, Chairperson, the Fire & Rescue Service Board, said:

"He is a committed and dedicated Firefighter and brings a wealth of operational and strategic leadership experience to the role.  

“His focus will be on providing the best possible fire and rescue service to the community through prevention, protection and emergency response, whilst adhering to the highest standards of leadership, governance and accountability."