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The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Cumbria, David Allen, says that Paul Hancock is his preferred candidate for the role of Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer.
Hancock ran Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for nine years until his retirement in 2018. More recently, in August 2024, he had taken on the role of ‘Fire Service lead’ for Cumbria and with the retirement of incumbent Rick Ogden in December 2024, the role of CFO fell vacant. While chief of Cheshire, Hancock spent some of that time as shared CFO for Cumbria and is a former President of CFOA, the precursor of the National Fire Chiefs Council.
“Paul is an incredibly experienced candidate; as a local resident, and one that started his Fire Service career in Cumbria in 1986, he understands the county well and the challenges the service faces to keep residents and visitors protected and safe. He will, I am certain, ensure that Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service go from strength to strength.”
PFCC David Allen.
In Apri 2023, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service transferred from Cumbria County Council to the PCC after local government reorganisation led to to the abolition of the county and creation of new unitary authorities. David Allen is the fifth PCC to take on fire governance, with Essex, Staffordshire, North Yorkshire and Northamptonshire all led by PFCCs.
The appointment is subject to confirmation at a meeting of the Cumbria Police and Crime Panel on 31 January.
Read more here – Cumbria PFCC seeking new Chief Fire Officer.
