seanruthWest Sussex have appointed a new Chief Fire Officer after the departure Max Hood who is leaving to take up a fire service post in New Zealand.

Sean Ruth will take up the role having been Deputy CFO since 2009 and having served in the FRS since 1989.

Christine Field, Cabinet Member for Public Protection at West Sussex County Council, welcomed the new chief's appointment and said: "There are pressures and challenges for all public services in the current economic climate but in Sean we have appointed someone with a proven track record of leadership and managing at a strategic level, someone with the right skills, vision and experience to lead West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service into the future.

"The role that firefighters play is highly valued by the local community so I look forward to working with him and making sure the services we deliver make a real difference to the lives of people in West Sussex."

Having begun his career as a firefighter, CFO Ruth transferred to Surrey in 1996 where he operated in a number of roles including community fire safety, training and operational command.

He was then seconded to the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2007, working with the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor advising Ministers and senior Civil Servants on national fire and rescue policy. He joined West Sussex after a six month period as interim Deputy Chief with Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue in 2009.

As DCFO, Ruth has played a key role in leading WSFRS to make improvements in emergency cover arrangements and to invest in training to improve the safety of its firefighters, and he has said he looks forward to continuing to develop the Service as chief.

Posted 09/01/2013 by richard.hook@pavpub.com