Roy Wilsher, Chair of NFCC.
The Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) has announced Roy Wilsher, Chief Fire Officer of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, as the first Chair of CFOA’s newly formed National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The NFCC and the role of Chair will commence in April 2017.
The NFCC will be made up of senior representatives from all fire and rescue services (FRSs) across the UK. The new council will provide clear, professional advice to government (including devolved administrations) and the wider sector on matters such as professional standards, operational guidance, research and sharing best practice, while supporting the whole of the UK FRS. The Chair will be a dedicated, full time role with a term of office between two and four years. Mr Wilsher will speak on behalf of the NFCC and lead it at a national level. He will also oversee the delivery of the annual plan, which will be set by the council.
Part of the Chair’s remit is to build strong relationships and improve communications with UK governments, fire and rescue authorities and other partners. The role will be supported by two vice-chairs, which will be elected in the coming weeks.
The Chair will replace CFOA’s current annual Presidential system. In addition, the current directorates run by CFOA will be replaced by NFCC coordination committees, which will deliver the annual plan and look to work more closely with the police and other partners where appropriate.
Roy Wilsher said, “I am immensely proud to be the first Chair of the new National Fire Chiefs Council. It is a huge honour and comes at a very important time for the fire sector as we continue on our transformation journey. The NFCC will play a pivotal role nationally in ensuring fire and rescue services drive the sector forward. I have been committed to CFOA for a number of years and this new position will allow me to continue to develop and lead on national work, benefiting the sector as a whole. I will be responsible for overseeing the new NFCC annual plan, ensuring it is well managed and delivers against the priorities for reform.
“I look forward to working with colleagues and ensuring fire services across the UK are at the heart of driving the change agenda, while developing closer working relationships with governments and other partners.”
CFO Wilsher has served in the fire service for 35 years and has also been Chief Executive of Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner’s office. He will step down from his current role in April.
