Dräger appoints former East Sussex Fire Chief

February 11, 2025

Dräger has appointed former Chief Fire Officer of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Gary Walsh, as its strategic advisor on fire and rescue services (FRS) matters to ensure that Dräger’s safety technology continues to serve and reflect the needs of modern firefighting.

Gary, an operational firefighter for more than 30 years, was the NFCC respiratory protective equipment (RPE) lead for seven years involved in the review and drafting of national operational guidance for the use of breathing apparatus, he also led the Government’s national breathing apparatus telemetry project and was a member of the British Standards Committees with specific expertise in operational use of RPE. He has extensive experience in incident command training and assessment, and notable in his achievements was the delivery of a single emergency control room for East/West Sussex.

Since retirement from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in 2017, Gary has delivered independent fire and management consultancy services advising organisations on a variety of topics including emergency planning, risk and change management, training, and health and safety for several fire and rescue services, local authorities, the private sector and Government.

Matthew Bedford, Managing Director UK & Ireland, says he is delighted to be able to draw on Gary’s expertise: “Gary has extensive knowledge of national, regional and local fire and rescue operations and governance. His impressive list of achievements and experience means the strategic advice he can provide across a broad spectrum of RPE, communication, training and operational issues will be invaluable.”

Gary says to be able to offer advice to Drager is a great opportunity: “I look at this role as a way to support and influence how Drager’s breathing apparatus equipment and new technology is advanced, making sure that firefighters are protected while wearing the best RPE available. I’ve worked alongside Dräger extensively over my career, and they have always impressed me with their response and eagerness to be at the forefront of their industry,” he says.

“Important too is that national guidance stays relevant as the latest technological developments are introduced into the emergency services and that best practice is applied across all fire and rescue services departments, and by all users of RPE.”

Gary’s appointment follows the retirement of Brian Hesler, a consultant for Draeger for 14 years.

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