Cumbria and Cheshire to share chief fire officer

Cheshire and Cumbria are to have a shared Chief Fire Officer under plans agreed by the two organisations.

Paul Hancock, who has been Cheshire’s Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive since 2009, will become Chief of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service with effect from 5th April 2016, following the retirement of current Cumbria Chief Fire Officer Jim Onions.

Mr. Hancock started his fire service career in Cumbria in 1985 and rose to the position of Assistant Chief Fire Officer before leaving to join Cheshire in 2007.

The proposals have been backed by Cumbria County Council’s Chief Officers Panel and Cheshire Fire Authority. The agreement is to be reviewed after 12 months and will see Cumbria County Council pay Cheshire Fire Authority £60,000 in recognition of Mr. Hancock’s dual role.