Derbyshire fire chief honoured in King's Birthday Honours list

Derbyshire’s chief fire officer has been named in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Gavin Tomlinson received a Kings Fire Service Medal (KFSM) for distinguished service.

Born and educated in Belper, Mr Tomlinson started his career with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service as a trainee firefighter in 1993 - having previously worked in the town’s knitwear industry.

Over his 30-year career, he has worked in many areas of the service and was promoted to chief fire officer and chief executive in 2019.   

In 2020, Mr Tomlinson was appointed the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) lead for protection.

In this role, he leads and drives wide ranging reform to fire safety and building regulation.

He is is also chair of the Protection and Business Safety Committee, overseeing the introduction of the Fire Safety Act.

Mr Tomlinson said he was “extremely honoured” to be awarded the KFSM.

He added: “When I walked through the door of the training centre 30 years ago, I could never have imagined that I would have had the career that I have – me just a local lad from Belper who started out working in the thriving knitwear industry of Belper. 

“Being named as a recipient of the KFSM 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.”

Other Derby names on King's Birthday Honours list

• Linda Cobb, principle manager for Decent and Safe Homes Services at Derby City Council, received an OBE for services to housing.
• Clare Howard, chief executive officer at Natspec, received an OBE for services to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Dr Amarjit Raju, chief executive at Disability Direct, received an OBE for services to people with disabilities, to mental health and to carers.

See the full list on the gov.uk website.