Fire brigade may cut costs and pick civilian for top job

The move means South Yorkshire could join Kent and Durham in appointing a “civilian” chief officer with no previous fire service experience. The chief officer also acts as the service’s chief executive.

The post is now being filled temporarily by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jamie Courtney. The previous incumbent was Mark Smitherman, who retired in April this year after six-and-a-half years in the job.

Then, the authority said not replacing Mr Smitherman with a permanent chief officer would save them £300,000 a year.

Jim Andrews, chair of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “The Authority is committed to appointing the best candidate for the job and will be opening the opportunity up to any suitable person.

“The role of chief fire officer and chief executive is a common title across the British Fire and Rescue Service. It has been held in South Yorkshire previously, and fire services in Durham and Kent currently have a civilian in the position.

“The Authority is keen to receive applications from both uniformed and non-uniformed candidates and will appoint the person who has the right skills for the role.”

But unions said the county’s four fire services should consider sharing chief officers so more firefighters could be kept on front line duties.

Ian Watkins, regional officer for the Fire Brigades Union, said: “We asked if they had considered sharing chief executives when firefighters are being cut but they said no. Our fire services now have a massive corporate machine but they are cutting back on the front line.”