Interim Chief Fire Officer for Highlands and Islands appointed

Issued on behalf of the Highland and Islands Fire Board

The Highland and Islands Fire Board has announced the appointment of an interim chief fire officer to serve for one year while the Board continues its quest for a permanent chief fire officer.

Mr David Wynne is currently chief fire officer for Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service. He is also chairman of the Chief Fire Officer’s Association in Scotland. He will take up his new post in mid-January, replacing Mr Brian Murray, who retires in early January after almost 11 years as chief fire officer of the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.

Councillor Richard Durham, Convener of the Highland and Islands Fire Board, announced Mr Wynne’s appointment at today’s meeting of the board in Inverness.

He said: “I am delighted to welcome Mr Wynne to the Highlands and Islands.  He will bring with him a wealth of management experience and I am sure he will serve the area with distinction.  He will also assist the board in identifying a permanent chief fire officer for the board.”

The Fire Board sought a temporary appointment after being unable to recruit for the post.

At their meeting today, Board members paid tribute to Mr Murray for his service since taking up his position in June 1999.

Councillor Durham said: “We would like to sincerely thank Mr Murray for his leadership over the past 11 years and wish him a happy and contented retirement.”

Note:  Mr Wynne was appointed chief fire officer for Dumfries and Galloway in April 2002.  His career began as a firefighter in Northamptonshire in 1979 and he has also served in Hereford and Worcester, and North Yorkshire. Aged 51, Mr Wynne is married with a son and daughter. He received the Queens Fire Service Medal in 2005