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27
Sept 2022
New North Yorkshire deputy chief fire officer appointed
Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has appointed Mat Walker as the new deputy chief fire officer of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Mr Walker, a 43-year-old father-of-three who has been in the role on an interim basis since June, will receive a salary of £95,294 plus an operational allowance.
He joined the fire and rescue service in 2003 in South Yorkshire before moving to a national role where he was involved in the response to major incidents including east coast flooding and the Salisbury Novichok attacks.
He has since worked in the West Yorkshire service, most recently as an area manager responsible for service assurance and improvement.
Mr Walker was appointed after three candidates were interviewed by an independent panel.
Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said:
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Mr Walker takes up the role at a time when unions have raised concerns over cuts worth around £8m a year.
At Harrogate fire station, it means the number of night-time fire engines will be reduced to just one.
At a meeting this month, it was revealed North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire engine availability was classed as being at a “critical” level for 10% of the time during May this year.
This level refers to the service having fewer than 32 staffed engines and other appliances available across North Yorkshire. Commissioner Metcalfe described availability as "incredibly concerning".
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