A NEW Chief Fire Officer has temporarily taken over the reins of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
Nathan Travis has taken on the role for the next six months until a permanent chief is appointed later this year following the retirement of Mark Yates last month after 32 years service.
Hereford and Worcester’s new chief has spent 23 years in the fire service and most recently served as Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service.
He first started his career in 1993 with Gloucestershire Fire Service where he progressed through the ranks to Area Commander. In 2011, he then joined Oxfordshire Fire Service as Assistant Chief Fire Officer before being promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 2013.
During his time in Oxfordshire, he has faced challenging operational incidents, including flooding in Gloucestershire in 2007 and Oxfordshire in 2013 and 2014. And most recently the major building collapse at Didcot A power station.
New Chief Fire Officer, Nathan Travis, said: “I’m honoured to be taking over as Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and feel privileged to lead such a dynamic organisation.
“I look forward to working with the Fire Authority and the workforce to ensure that we continue to deliver high-quality and cost-effective prevention, protection and emergency response services to the two counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”
Chairman of the Fire Authority, Derek Prodger, said: “We are delighted that Nathan has accepted the role of interim Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive.
“I would like to wholeheartedly welcome him to the service and look forward to working with him. He will be bringing a wealth of expertise to the role and will be in post for a period of six months until a permanent chief is appointed.”
