Cheshire Fire Authority appoints new Chief Fire Officer

Cheshire Fire Authority (CFA) has today confirmed the appointment of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s new Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive.

CFA Chair, Councillor Bob Rudd, announced the appointment saying: “I am delighted to announce that Cheshire Fire Authority has appointed Alex Waller as Chief Fire Officer, following the retirement of Mark Cashin. Alex and the other candidates followed a rigorous and thorough process and his success will see him officially take up the role on 1 October.

“I and my fellow fire authority members are looking forward to working with Alex whose wealth of experience and breadth of knowledge stands him in good stead to take up the role.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for his inspirational leadership during his tenure, his dedication to public safety and equality, diversity and inclusion has been inspirational and we wish him every happiness for his retirement.”

Alex succeeds Mark Cashin who retires following a 33-year career with the fire and rescue service. Mark said: “Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service could not be in safer hands than Alex’s. We have worked closely over the past few years and I know that his vision and energy will continue to develop the Service further in order to maintain and improve what we offer to our communities.”

Cheshire’s newly-appointed Chief Fire Officer Alex Waller said he felt “proud and privileged” to be selected for the post.

Born in Widnes where he continues to live with his wife Mandy and two children, Alex joined the Service in 1993 as a 17-year old apprentice. He has served for 29 years in a variety of roles and ranks in all parts of Cheshire, most recently as Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO).

As DCFO, Alex led on Prevention, Protection, Operational Policy, Service Improvement and Blue-Light Collaboration. He also led on strategy and has helped to transform services and improve firefighter safety. He is the north west strategic lead for Prevention and is passionate about community safety and helping to transform the lives of young people.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic Alex chaired the multi-agency Local Resilience Forum and acted as the Service’s strategic lead. During the pandemic Alex instigated numerous collaborations to help the public, one of which led to fire staff delivering over 100,000 Covid-19 jabs to local people.

Speaking about his appointment Alex said, “Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is bursting with amazing, dedicated staff with a laser focus on helping people and saving lives. I feel proud and privileged to be Chief Fire Officer serving my home county and I look forward to leading a Service that is, without doubt, wholly committed to the safety of Cheshire’s residents and businesses.”