UPDATED: A new chief officer has been appointed to lead Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IWFRS) from the start of next year.
Neil Odin will take over from current Chief Dave Curry, who is stepping down from his role after a decade with the service.
He will formally start as Chief on 1st January 2018.
Neil joined HFRS as Assistant Chief in March 2012, having previously worked at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for more than 20 years.
Later as Deputy Chief and director of Service Delivery, covering Community Safety, Response and Resilience, he was responsible for firefighting and frontline response, prevention, safe and well visits, business fire safety and community self-help plans.
The 44-year-old has a master’s degree in Business Administration and holds senior posts with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the commercial arm of HFRS.
Speaking about his appointment, Neil has today (Friday) said:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of chief officer for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Article continues below this advertisement “It is a position that I know carries great responsibility, as our service strives to make life safer for every resident.
“Stepping into the shoes of someone as respected and admired as Dave will be a tough challenge, but I am confident I can bring a new perspective and insight to the role.
“There is no doubt I take on the job at a time of great change in the fire service but I am looking forward immensely to the challenge of ensuring we continue to supply an exemplary service to our communities and to leading such a great organisation.”
In announcing his retirement earlier this year, Mr Curry described the Hampshire job as “the best job in the UK fire service”, and HFRS as “an organisation that has become one of the most respected and high-performing services in the UK”.
UPDATE MONDAY – Councillor Gary Peace, Cabinet member for community safety and public protection, has today said:
“I am pleased to welcome Neil Odin as the new Fire Chief for the Isle of Wight. Neil knows the Island well, through his time with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and through our partnership with them.
“I was involved in the recruitment process, where Neil excelled. I was able to ensure that the views of the Island were taken into account in this appointment and can reassure Island residents that the new Chief Fire Officer will continue to act in the best interests of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, and our residents. I am very happy with the appointment of Neil Odin to the post.”
