New Northumberland chief fire officer announced
A new chief fire officer has been appointed in Northumberland following the collapsed merger between the county's and Cumbria's fire service.
Alex Bennett has been appointed chief fire officer for the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, having held the role of acting chief fire officer since December 2010.
The announcement comes just two months after the merger between Northumberland and Cumbria's fire service was called off due to a vast difference in council tax rates in the two counties, which would have resulted in Cumbria residents paying more than their Northumberland counterparts.
Under the terms of the proposed merger, Cumbria's chief fire officer Dominic Harrison would have assumed responsibility for both counties but Mr Bennett will now take the role.
"I'm very pleased to be appointed to the role of chief fire officer and, with the help of my colleagues, I aim to build on the high standards set by the service," he said.
"This will be done by continuing to provide an effective response to fires, floods and other emergencies."
Mr Bennett replaces Brian Hesler as the county's fire safety chief, who retired after 33 years of service.
Posted by Paul Clarke
