Boost to senior leadership for South Wales Fire; One of Britain’s most wanted arrested at Heathrow after 27 years on the run

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with news of a leadership boost for the embattled South Wales Fire Service, as Dominic Mika joins as the new Director of Strategic Change and Transformation.

There’s also a story on Richard Burrows, one of Britain’s most wanted fugitives, who has been caught after 27 years on the run.

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Boost to senior leadership for South Wales Fire

More change in South Wales as the Commissioners have appointed a new Director of Strategic Change and Transformation. Dominic Mika joins South Wales Fire and Rescue Service after a period of huge instability that has seen a damning report into its culture, the removal of the fire authority and the swift retirement of the longstanding chief. More via Emergency Services Times

Medical drone delivery projects awarded funding under Future Flight Challenge

Innovate UK, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced the latest winners of its Future Flight Challenge.

The programme uses drones to help build resilience in UK medical supply chains and help connect patients with healthcare services more quickly. More via UK Research and Innovation

National intelligence unit opens retailer training

A new team within Opal, national policing’s intelligence unit for serious and organised acquisitive crime, will soon begin the process of gathering, scoping and analysing information about organised retail crime groups referred from a number of different sources. culture, the removal of the fire authority and the swift retirement of the longstanding chief. More via Emergency Services Times

Merseyside fire deaths at record low, says fire service

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) has praised its staff and the communities of Merseyside following the release of annual figures showing record reductions in Accidental Dwelling Fires and only one fire death.

MFRS revealed that accidental fires in the home have fallen by 15% over the last year and 20% over a two-year period with the lowest number of fire deaths ever recorded. More via MFRS

Private ambulance service opens to tackle patient delays

A new private ambulance service will offer faster travel to A&E for those caught out by half-day waits for NHS ambulances, The Independent can reveal, in a sign of a growing “two-tier” health service.

MET Medical ambulance service will begin by charging £99 for a call-out, and could serve thousands of people a week, its chief executive Dave Hawkins has said. More via Independent

Luton airport car park fire thefts are investigated by police

Police are investigating reported thefts from vehicles at the Luton airport car park destroyed by a fire.

The blaze broke out and rapidly escalated in Terminal Car Park 2 on 10 October, when about 1,300 vehicles were parked inside. More via BBC News

One of Britain’s most wanted arrested at Heathrow after 27 years on the run

An 80-year-old man who has been on the run for 27 years has been arrested at Heathrow Airport, police said.

Richard Burrows was arrested on Thursday after returning to the UK from Thailand, a spokesman for Cheshire Police said. More via Sky News

The Fire Fighters Charity appoints new Chief Executive

The Fire Fighters Charity has announced the appointment of Sherine Wheeler as Chief Executive.

Joining the charity at the end of April, Sherine brings extensive leadership experience having worked to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of charities, most recently Mayhew, and including Marie Curie, Action for Children and Young Lives vs Cancer. More via Emergency Services Times