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Hampshire’s top fire officer announces his retirement Chief Officer John Bonney will retire from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) at the end of 2014 after a decade in the role. Mr Bonney, who has been with HFRS for 13 years, and in the top job for the past 10, has announced he will step down on 31 December 2014.
Mr Bonney said, “2014 marks my 10th year as chief officer, and having served at the helm for a decade, I’ve decided it is now timely for me to step down from what is, by any measure, the best job in the British fire service. “I am proud to have led a service populated throughout by people absolutely dedicated to what we do and who, as a matter of routine, go far beyond what is asked of them.” Mr Bonney’s early announcement gives Hampshire Fire Authority time to appoint his successor to ensure a smooth handover of responsibility at the turn of the year. Hampshire Fire Authority Chairman Royston Smith said, “John retires from his position as Chief with our heartfelt thanks as an authority for the huge impact he has made as our top fire officer. John’s inspirational leadership has seen Hampshire gain a clear position as one of the leading fire and rescue services in the country. “He will be greatly missed and he leaves an absolutely massive legacy as a very effective and hugely respected Chief Officer. “The work of making Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service stronger, and keeping the people of Hampshire safer, of course continues. And so we thank John for allowing us the time and space to appoint his successor and to ensure HFRS continues to move forward and offer the very best service to people across the county.” www.hantsfire.gov.uk
Flood Responder receives volunteer award from PM A Flood Responder from Surrey Search and Rescue has received the new Point of Light Award from Prime Minister David Cameron. The new Point of Light Award scheme aims to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in the UK, and was presented to Séamus Kearns for his role in helping victims of the floods that struck the UK at the start of the year. Séamus Kearns, 28, travelled to 10 Downing Street along with six colleagues for a reception hosted by Mr Cameron in recognition of the 'Flood Hero' award he received from ITV’s Daybreak programme. Séamus spent seven days in February helping flood relief efforts in Staines and Chertsey, alongside fellow volunteers Surrey Search and Rescue. He said, “I don't consider what I did to be heroic, but just part of the thousands of hours each year donated by Surrey SAR members.”
Séamus and colleagues outside 10 Downing Street. Photo: Surrey Search & Rescue
Séamus Kearns was part of a flood rescue team in Chertsey during the 2014 floods. Photo: Surrey Search & Rescue
The Prime Minister announced the Point of Light Awards, heralding ‘the extraordinary things done during the storms and floods in terms of community service’. And in a personal letter to Séamus, Mr Cameron continued, “I believe it is my duty as Prime Minister to hold up examples of great volunteering and service as an example for others. On behalf of the whole country, I hope this Point of Light Award can be a small way of saying thank you.” Surrey Search and Rescue is a charity and all members give their time for free. It is a member of the UK's voluntary Lowland Rescue network – with the same mandate as the RNLI and Mountain Rescue for life-saving support to the 999 services during emergencies. www.sursar.org.uk
Jerry Graham announced as Cumbria Chief Constable Police and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria Richard Rhodes has formally announced that Jerry Graham, Deputy Chief Constable of the county, will take up the permanent position of Chief Constable for Cumbria from 1 August 2014. Mr Rhodes said, “I am delighted to confirm Mr Jerry Graham as the next Chief Constable of Cumbria. He impressed us with his sound knowledge and significant experience of the county and its communities, as well as his obvious commitment to our shared vision to make Cumbria an even safer place to live, work and visit. “I look forward to working with him to take forward the long-term plans for policing over the next few years, in line with my Police and Crime Plan.” Jerry Graham said, “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead Cumbria Constabulary as Chief Constable and I consider it a privilege to
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North Wales Police has announced the appointment of Richard Debicki as Assistant Chief Constable. Mr Debicki is currently a Chief Superintendent with the Lancashire Constabulary having started his career with the force 20 years ago. Chief Constable Mark Polin said, “I am very happy to welcome Richard to the team. This is a key appointment and Richard will bring many qualities to the role and to the chief officer team, having served in a variety of positions over many years in Lancashire Constabulary. I would also like to express my gratitude to Simon Shaw who has been the Temporary Assistant Chief Constable for the past year.” A start date has not yet been finalised for Mr Debicki, who plans to move to the area and has made a commitment to learn Welsh. www.north-wales.police.uk
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has appointed Wayne Bowcock as Deputy Chief Fire Officer. Wayne began his career as a firefighter in Staffordshire in 1992, working initially in Stoke-on-Trent. After spells at Moorlands and Stafford, as a Station Officer, he spent time back at Stokeon-Trent and at HQ, where he developed the Integrated Risk Management Plan. He spent a year working from Stoke City Council before becoming Area Commander for Stokeon-Trent and later Area Commander responsible for North Staffordshire. In March 2012, Wayne moved to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service where he took up responsibility for training, organisational safety and operational assurance and was a Director of the Red One trading arm. www.notts-fire.gov.uk
serve the public of Cumbria in this important role. I look forward to working with the Police and Crime Commissioner, to deliver his Police and Crime Plan to keep the communities within Cumbria safe. “I am proud of Cumbria Constabulary, whilst there are a number of challenges ahead we are a dynamic organisation and I am confident and optimistic we can meet these challenges.”
ACC Anthony Bangham from Avon & Somerset Constabulary has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Constable for West Mercia Police. DCC Bangham is now rejoining West Mercia Police as Deputy Chief Constable in June 2014. Bill Longmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, said, “I am extremely pleased to welcome DCC Bangham to West Mercia Police. His role will be to provide control and direction to the force and we look forward to benefiting from the professionalism, dedication and commitment to policing he has demonstrated throughout his career to date.”He replaces DCC Simon Chesterman who left West Mercia Police to join the Civil Nuclear Constabulary as Capability Director and Deputy Chief in January 2014.
www.cumbria.police.uk
www.westmercia.police.uk
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