New Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has announced the appointment of Gavin Watts as its new Director
of Operations and Chief Fire Officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (WSFRS).
Gavin, who is currently WSFRS Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, succeeds Sean Ruth, who is retiring from
the Fire & Rescue Service after more than 28 years’ service.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is a statutory function provided by
the County Council and works at the heart of its Communities
and Public Protection Directorate. This integrated working
and close collaboration with other services means
Gavin, as Director of Operations, will have broader
responsibilities for planning and delivering the
Council’s objectives in addition to his Chief Fire
Officer role.
Gavin is 48 years old and married with two
children. He began his fire service career as
a firefighter in Surrey in 1989 and worked in
a number of operational and training roles
before joining West Sussex as Assistant Chief
Fire Officer in November 2013. In that time he
has led the Fire & Rescue Service response
to the Shoreham Air Show tragedy and to
the major fire at the Selsey Academy. He has
also been a Director of Communities, leading
teams delivering a wide range of community
safety and prevention initiatives, and is currently
Vice-Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council
on road safety issues.
Sean Ruth said he believed Gavin’s appointment
would be well received by the County’s
firefighters.
“West Sussex firefighters and support staff have
undergone significant change in recent years and
Gavin’s experience and personal qualities have
been evident in helping to lead that process.
“Gavin will now lead West Sussex Fire & Service into a
new era and will begin the process to appoint a new
senior leadership team. I’m delighted to be able to hand
over the responsibility to such a professional and
respected officer, and I wish him every success.”
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is at
the heart of West Sussex County
Council’s Communities
and Public Protection
Directorate, working to
support communities
to become safer,
stronger and more
resilient through
a combination
of prevention,
protection
and response
activities.
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