Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer has been recognised in in His Majesty the King’s birthday honours list and hopes his award will help inspire others.

Gavin Tomlinson, Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive has been awarded a Kings Fire Service Medal (KFSM) for distinguished service.

He joined Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service as a trainee firefighter in 1993. Over his 30-year career he has worked in many areas of the Service before promotion to Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive in September 2019. 

Speaking on the announcement of his KFSM, Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Gavin Tomlinson said: “Being named as a recipient of the King’s Fire Service Medal is something that I am extremely proud of, but also something that I hope will inspire others to believe if you set your mind to something, you really can succeed. 

“I didn’t go to university, in fact my education was solely in the hands of schools across Belper, but by doing something I love every day, and working hard, I have been able to make a difference to the safety of people not only across Derbyshire, but through my national work people across the whole of the UK. 

“It has been and continues to be a privilege to be the Chief Fire Officer for Derbyshire and I would encourage anyone who is considering a career either as a firefighter, or in one of the many critical professional support roles in the fire and rescue service, to take that step.

“An exciting and rewarding career awaits, and you never know where it will take you.”

In 2020 he was appointed the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) lead for Protection taking the lead on wide ranging reform to fire safety and building regulation on behalf of the fire and rescue sector. 

He is also the Chair of the Protection and Business Safety (P&BS) Committee, overseeing the introduction of the Fire Safety Act.