Fire service experience ‘not essential’ for new chief fire officer

The current head of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Gavin Watts announced his decision last month to retire after 29 years in service.

West Sussex County Council is recruiting for his successor, but its job advert has been criticised for saying that ‘fire service experience would be helpful, it is not essential for this leadership role’.

It explains: “What will be key is a strong focus on outcomes, with the ability to drive performance in a large operational business.”

A spokesman for the Fire Brigades Union said: “The idea that an individual with little to no understanding of the fire and rescue service, with no previous operational experience can undertake the role of chief fire officer, is absurd.

For West Sussex County Council to suggest fire service experience is simply desirable will be of concern to all operational personnel who could be under the strategic guidance of the CFO at major incidents. The FBU do not support this disregard for operational importance at the most senior level of the fire and rescue service.

“The CFO advises the responsible cabinet member. They are supposed to draw on years of experience and FRS knowledge to highlight risks or concerns with often ill-considered political decisions or financial pressures.

“This advice will not be possible if the individual has no previous FRS knowledge. It could lead to ill-informed, dangerous decisions being taken by individuals with no idea of the implications on public and firefighter safety.

“We will not sit idly by and allow our professional service to be subjected to a private sector hatchet job carried out by an individual more interested in saving pennies than saving lives.”

Labour county councillor Michael Jones wrote on Facebook: “Sad as I am to read that Gavin Watts the West Sussex chief fire officer is retiring, as a councillor can I make clear contrary to the wording quoted in the council’s advert for the position, that I consider fire service experience to be essential, and a lot of it!

“I cannot believe WSCC has put out an ad saying it isn’t. If the Tory leadership approved such wording then they are even less deserving of running this county than I thought before, which is saying something.”

Consultants GatenbySanderson have been employed to handle the recruitment process.

A spokesman for the county council said: “In order to recruit the best person for this important, strategic role within the council, it is standard practice to employ a specialist agency to make sure we reach a wide field of potential candidates.

“It’s imperative that we recruit a high-performing leader with relevant skills and experience, and we will consider each candidate on his or her merits.

“We look forward to recruiting a new chief fire officer to continue to deliver a service that’s committed to keeping the residents of West Sussex safe.”

To apply for the position click here.

The advert says: “You will be given the autonomy needed to transform our fire & rescue services to provide the best outcomes for our residents. Working with our emergency services partnerships you will shape and develop opportunities within and across our partnership borders.

“Fire service experience would be helpful, it is not essential for this leadership role. What will be key is a strong focus on outcomes, with the ability to drive performance in a large operational business.”