A familiar face is overseeing activities at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, with the reappointment of Sunderland City Councillor Tom Wright as its new chairman.

Cllr Wright, who previously served as Fire Authority chairman from 2008 to 2011, took over the position again on 11 June 2012 from Cllr Bob Heron, who had been the Authority's chairman for the past year. 

He joins 15 other elected members on the Authority, as representative of St Anne's ward in Pennywell, and has been a councillor for 10 years.

He also serves on a number of influential committees within Sunderland City Council including the Audit and Governance and Joint Consultative Committees, and also represents the city council on the Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust.

Cllr Wright said: "I am very proud to have been reappointed as chairman of such an important organisation and would like to thank my colleagues and the community for their continued support. I'm looking forward to returning to the role, and can assure everyone that I will work hard to fulfil my official duties at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority."

Announcing the appointment, Chief Fire Officer Tom Capeling, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Cllr Wright has always been a great asset to the Authority and the Service. He brings years of financial experience, accountancy and important local knowledge to the table, and I am sure he will continue to help us meet the challenges ahead to achieve our vision of creating the safest community.

"I would also like to thank Cllr Heron for his dedicated service to the Fire Authority for the last year."

Posted 11/07/2012 by richard.hook@pavpub.com