THE chair of Cheshire Fire Authority has been looking back on his 12 years in the role as he prepares to retire next month.

Cllr Bob Rudd says goodbye to the service as he retires from the Cheshire Fire Authority.

During his final meeting before officially retiring as Chair of the Authority on May 8, Cllr Rudd said: “I joined in 2011 and have enjoyed my time trying to keep it the best Fire and Rescue Service in the country.

"There have been some great achievements over those years; Safety Central was opened by the Princess Royal, the new Training Centre here in Winsford was opened by the Earl of Wessex, and we pushed for the retro-fitting of sprinklers in high rise residential buildings, to name a few. 

“Building new Fire stations at Penketh, Powey Lane, Lymm, and Alsager increasing the number of stations from 24 to 28 at a time when other services were reducing them.

"New stations at Chester (first carbon zero Fire station in the country) and a long-awaited new station in Crewe.

“The range of work carried out by our excellent staff is mind boggling, and when I started, I thought they just put out fires!

"Our staff who make home visits to provide valuable home safety advice, to the teams of firefighters who extricate motorists from road traffic collisions and water-related flood incidents. Then there are the Prince’s Trust Graduates, the Respect Programme and our Fire Cadets.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock, Chief Fire Officer Mark Cashin and Chief Fire Officer Alex Waller and numerous other Fire Officers and professionals.

“My thanks go to all Members of Cheshire Fire Authority for your support over these past seven years as Leader and Chair of the Authority. I could not have done this without the loyal support of Stef Nelson my Deputy Chair.

“Finally, I would like to thank all members of staff for all their help and support over the past 12 years, whatever their role in the organisation. They make the role of member of Cheshire Fire Authority so much easier."

Following Councillor Rudd’s retirement, Deputy Chair of the Authority Halton Councillor Stef Nelson will take on the role of Chair of the Authority on an interim basis until a new Chairperson is formally elected at the Annual General Meeting of Cheshire Fire Authority on June 28.