IFE Chairman and Lancashire Chief Fire Officer Peter Holland CBE OStJ QFSM FIFireE has retired from LFRS as of the 30th of September. Peter continues in his role as Chairman of the IFE board of directors.

cfohollandAs a recognition of his tremendous commitment to fire and rescue, he was presented with a certificate and lapel badge by the Chairman of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, County Councillor David O'Toole (right).

Here's a special look back at CFO Holland's achievements:

  • Peter Holland has been the Chief Fire Officer of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service since July 1999.
  • He was previously Chief Fire Officer of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service from September 1995 until June 1999
  • Prior to that he was Deputy Chief Fire Officer with Lancashire, where he held that position from October 1992.
  • He started his career in Bristol Fire Brigade in 1972.
  • He is the fourth generation of his family to enter the profession, continuing a family tradition. His father, Sir Kenneth Holland, and his grandfather Percy Holland, were Chief Fire Officers, whilst his great grandfather, Charles, was a Firefighter in Dudley from 1890 to 1914.
  • Following service with Bristol and Avon, Peter Holland moved to Cheshire as a Station Officer working at Chester and Widnes.
  • Promotion to Assistant Divisional Officer took him to West Yorkshire where he served on the Bradford Division, Headquarters and Calderdale. During this period he was promoted to Divisional Officer in Fire Safety and whilst serving in West Yorkshire attended the Bradford City Football Stadium disaster.
  • Peter was then appointed Recruitment and Training Officer in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and later became Divisional Commander in that County's North Division, based at Stoke-on-Trent, before being appointed Assistant Chief Fire Officer in August 1990.
  • He was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal for distinguished service in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours List in 1997.
  • He was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 1998 and was awarded the Queen's Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1992.
  • Peter was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in Her Majesty's New Years Honours list in 2010 for sevices to local government.
  • He is Chairman of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) and also a Past International President (1997/8).
  • He established the National Fire Sprinkler Network in the UK (July 1998) following work during his presidential year to promote an increased use of sprinklers in both industrial and residential properties, and was Chairman for 10 years. The Network successfully convinced the Government to change the Building Regulations to improve sprinkler protection in large single storey retail building and schools and has significantly increased sprinkler protection for life and property protection.
  • From 2004 to 2009, Peter was Chairman of Fire Conferences and Exhibitions Ltd (FCEL), responsible for organising the largest annual fire conference and exhibition in the UK.
  • Peter is a Past President of the Chief Fire Officers Association being President from September 2010 to September 2011.
  • Peter is a Director of the USA based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

CFO Holland has also been responsible for a number of improvements in LFRS during his time as chief:

  • The only one of 46 English FRS's judged as 'Excellent' in the Audit Commission's 2009/10 Organisational Asessment
  • Significant reduction in fire deaths and injuries (-53% and -64% respectively)
  • Significant reduction in accidental dwelling fires (-27%)
  • Significant reduction in deliberate property, vehicle and secondary fires (-66%, -73% and -53% respectively)
  • Sickness absence at an all time low
  • Reduction in staff injuries (-42%)
  • Smoke alarm ownership increased dramatically - 9180 HFSC's carried out in 2003/04 to 55,223 in 20010/11 (502% increase)
  • Introduction of Day Crewing Plus crewing system resulting in significant financial saving
  • Significant reduction in unwanted fire signals
  • People Development - the support of employees through degree courses including the Fire and Leadership degree
  • PFI Fire Station Project - introduction of Community Fire Stations
  • Improved rescue capability - every pumping appliance provided with dedicated hydraulic shears and spreaders
  • Provision of enhanced rescue appliances - Water Rescue Pumps and Rescue Pumps
  • Improvements to rope rescue capability
  • Introduction of Mobile Fire Stations - enhanced Incident Command function and also CFS capability
  • Introduction of 2 new foam units and BA Unit
  • Enhanced moorland capability through the introduction of 'Softrack' and 'Polaris' vehicles
  • Introduction of a second Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Unit
  • Improvements to Firefighter's PPE. Galet helmets, PBI Gold firekit offering greater protection, introduction of pooled PPE
  • Introduction of Draeger BA Sets complete with telemetry
  • Improvements to ISAR capability, provision of mainstream USAR Unit
  • Replacement equipment including thermal imaging cameras and torches
  • Implementation of RDS Salary Scheme
  • Introduction of wholetime firefighters providing retained cover through dual contracts
  • Enhanced resilience through introduction of National Intelligence Liaison Officers
    (All statistics quoted are increases from 2003/04 to 2010/11)