West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has appointed its new assistant chief fire officer.

Gary Ball, who currently serves as West Sussex’s area manager for service delivery, is taking over from Peter Rickard who is now the chief fire officer at Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Gary first joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service as a firefighter in 2002 and served the communities of Portsmouth and Southampton for 12 years.

He joined West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in 2017 as a station manager at Bognor Regis Fire Station.

Gary then became group manager and worked on key projects such as the service’s improvement plan following the first inspection from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

He was then seconded to the HMICFRS for six months as an inspecting officer. 

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said Gary recently completed a four-year apprenticeship and achieved a BA (Hons) in management .

He currently serves as the National Fire Chief’s Council lead for on-call along with his role with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

As newly-appointed assistant chief fire officer, Gary will lead on the service’s operational response and the prevention and protection departments.

Gary said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the service’s new assistant chief fire officer.

“I’m really looking forward to working closely with colleagues across the service, who are incredibly passionate about the work they do, as we continue to build upon the successes that we have already made through our improvement journey.”

Councillor Duncan Crow, cabinet member for community support, fire and rescue, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Gary into this new position.

"During his time in West Sussex, Gary has proved himself to be an incredible asset and great leader; I know this news will be very well received across the service.”

Chief fire officer Sabrina Cohen-Hatton said: “Since joining the service seven years ago, Gary has made huge contributions and has clearly demonstrated his unwavering commitment to serving communities of West Sussex. 

“Gary is a well-respected officer and his extensive knowledge of the sector, both locally and nationally, will help to make West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service the best it can be.”