Deputy chief at Shropshire's fire service retires

David Myers had been instrumental in helping transform Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service into a sustainable service, fit for the future and in championing better working lives for staff, the organisation said.

Mr Myers said: "It has been a pleasure working in Shropshire and I want to thank everyone for their support and hard work over the few years I have been here.

“I hope I’ve played a part in further developing the service into a place where everyone feels valued as well as driving positive change.”

Mr Myers' main achievements include developing a workplace charter to further support positive relationships throughout the service, and key areas of responsibility included human resources, information, communication and technology, planning, risk and performance, communications and collaboration.

His work around menopause resulted in the service being nominated as a model employer for its support offered to employees and to working closely with Government to improve the working lives of women.

During his career outside of Shropshire Mr Myers has worked with young people on The Prince's Trust, been an aerial platform operator, a technical rescue rope and water operative and instructor, an equality and diversity trainer and managed stations and a community safety centre.

Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton said: “Dave brought with him some really valuable knowledge about how to build effective collaboration and how to strengthen culture.

Level-headed

“This has helped Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service both forge an effective fire alliance and achieve an inspection rating of 'good' in how we work with our people.

“Beyond that Dave’s professional and level-headed style of leadership has helped look after the service in exceptionally uncertain times and I know it will be hard to replace him.”

Mr Myers added: “I have had challenging days, but I’ve never regretted joining the fire service. I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day.

“I’ll miss the friends and colleagues I have made throughout my career and would recommend the fire service to anyone. I’ve also fallen in love with Shropshire and although I am retiring to my home in Dorset, I will return from time to time and spend time on the canals.”

Mr Myers joined the service from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2017. Previously he progressed through the ranks from firefighter with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service where he started in 1999.

From January, two newly appointed assistant chief fire officers, Simon Hardiman, currently serving as temporary assistant chief fire officer in Shropshire and Dan Quinn, already an assistant chief fire officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, will replace two substantive vacancies and report directly to the chief fire officer; one having direct responsibility for service delivery and the other for corporate support and infrastructure.