New Deputy Chief Fire Officers for South Yorkshire and Derbyshire

Both South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service have appointed new Deputy Chief Fire Officers (DCFOs) in recent weeks.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (SYFRA) has appointed Chris Kirby. Barnsley-born Chris will join South Yorkshire later this spring from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which he first joined as a firefighter in 1998. His roles in West Yorkshire included acting as a breathing apparatus instructor, commanding the Kirklees district and taking charge of the service’s response and prevention work. He also led the service’s business fire safety work in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Fire Authority Chair Cllr Robert Taylor, said, “This was a really competitive process, but the whole panel was greatly impressed by Chris’ forward thinking and people centred approach. We are proud of the South Yorkshire’s reputation as being amongst the leading fire and rescue service’s in the country and we are confident this appointment will help the service to continually improve its service to the public.”

Chris said, “I am really pleased to be joining South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. To be able to serve the communities where I grew up is a huge privilege and I look forward to meeting the people that make the service what it is. I have always been impressed with the people I have met and I hope to support the service in being a great place to work and to deliver an outstanding service to the communities of South Yorkshire.”

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority has appointed Rick Roberts to the role of DCFO for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service. Rick will take up the position with immediate effect.

Rick, who has been Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer since September 2019, was appointed on 8 March. The married father of two from Buxton, began his fire and rescue service career at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1994 before transferring to Derbyshire in 1999.

Rick has served in many roles across the service, including operational station command, executive support and learning and development. As an Area Manager, Rick was the service lead for all collaborative projects.

Councillor Kevin Buttery, Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority, said, “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Rick Roberts as the new Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service. Rick, who has been a longstanding valued member of the service’s strategic leadership team, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skill that will ensure the service continues to improve, whilst remaining a high achieving fire and rescue service, delivering first class efficient and effective services to the communities of Derbyshire.”

Rick said, “It is a privilege to have been appointed as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire. I am really looking forward to continuing to help lead the development of the service, working with our dedicated staff and partners, all working to Make Derbyshire Safer Together.”