Interim Chief Fire Officer for Highlands and Islands Appointed

The Highland and Islands Fire Board has announced the appointment of an
interim chief fire officer to serve for one year while the Board
continues its quest for a permanent chief fire officer.

Mr David Wynne is currently chief fire officer for Dumfries and Galloway
Fire and Rescue Service. He is also chairman of the Chief Fire Officer’s
Association in Scotland. He will take up his new post in mid-January,
replacing Mr Brian Murray, who retires in early January after almost 11
years as chief fire officer of the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue
Service.

Councillor Richard Durham, Convener of the Highland and Islands Fire
Board, announced Mr Wynne’s appointment at today’s meeting of the board
in Inverness.

He said: “I am delighted to welcome Mr Wynne to the Highlands and
Islands. He will bring with him a wealth of management experience and I
am sure he will serve the area with distinction. He will also assist
the board in identifying a permanent chief fire officer for the board.”

The Fire Board sought a temporary appointment after being unable to
recruit for the post.

At their meeting today, Board members paid tribute to Mr Murray for his
service since taking up his position in June 1999.

Councillor Durham said: “We would like to sincerely thank Mr Murray for
his leadership over the past 11 years and wish him a happy and contented
retirement.”

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