Jo Turton, a candidate with 30 years’ worth of service in local government, is the current front runner to become the new Essex chief fire officer.
Turton has been announced as police, fire and crime commissioner Roger Hirst’s preferred candidate, with Hirst wanting Turton to be working in a combined chief office and chief executive role.
Previously, Turton was the chief executive of Lancashire County Council, but she was made redundant after that post was combined with a finance role earlier in 2017.
Speaking on the matter, the Fire Brigades Union have said that they’d much rather have a uniformed candidate, with Essex’s existing chief fire officer – Adam Eckley – set to retire next year.
After being asked to comment on the matter, Hirst was on hand to say that the Essex County Fire and Rescue service is a hotbed for exciting opportunities, and a number of top drawer candidates applied for the role.
“Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is a large and complex service with many exciting opportunities for collaboration and development,” Hirst said. “Our open and widely advertised recruitment attracted a large number of high-calibre candidates.”
In addition, Hirst said that an openness in relation to collaboration with other emergency services and a positive culture in general would required to thrive in the role, which pays £140,000 a year.
Hirst’s recommendation of Turton has to go to a confirmation hearing of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which will take place in late January.
Turton, who could start in March 2018, was delighted about the opportunity, and is fully ready for the challenge.
“I am excited about the opportunity and welcome the chance to lead Essex County Fire and Rescue Service into the next phase of its journey,” Turton said.
The chief fire officer will not only be responsible for a population of 1.7m people, but also 51 stations.
