New leadership team for fire authority

CFO, Steve McGuirk, Vice Chairman, Councillor Henry Cooper, and Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Fred Walker

A full restructure of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority was announced today (23 June), along with appointments to a newly restructured committee system.

Wigan Councillor Fred Walker was elected Chairman, returning after a three year absence at the helm. He will be joined by Manchester Councillor Henry Cooper as Vice Chairman.

The Authority has moved to three strategic committees, aligned to its business model and focusing on emergency response, prevention and protection and policy, resources and performance.

Each of the committees will be lead by a Chairman and Deputy Chairman with special responsibility, one for each of the three new principal committees. They are: 

• Emergency Response Committee - Chair: Councillor David Acton and Deputy Chair, Councillor John O’Brien.
• Prevention and Protection Committee – Chair: Councillor Barrie Holland and Deputy Chair, Councillor Bernard Judge.
• Public Value Committee – Chair: Councillor Fred Walker and Deputy Chair, Councillor Henry Cooper.

The Audit and Scrutiny Committee will be chaired by Councillor John Bell and his deputy Councillor Paul Shannon.

This is Councillor Walker’s second term of office as Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority, having previously served as Chairman for 18 years from 1990-2008.

In taking up his role, he said: "I am delighted to have been elected Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority once again.

"Despite the extremely challenging times ahead, I’m determined that our citizens will be fully protected from the dangers of fire and other emergency incidents.”

County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk acknowledged the challenges and opportunities that the Fire Authority will be facing: “We have always worked closely with our elected members on the Fire Authority and this strong relationship will be critical as, together, we strive to maintain and in some areas improve the excellent service that we deliver to the public of Greater Manchester."