Peter moves up the ladder

A new chief fire officer has been appointed to lead Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and he is promising value for money and high quality.

Following a two-day national selection process, Peter Dartford has been chosen for the position.

He is expected to take up the role in April next year, following the retirement of 50-year-old Alan Doig who decided not to extend his contract following nine years as the head of the organisation and 32 years in the fire service

During this time Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been acknowledged at a national level as one of the best performing in the country.

Mr Dartford, aged 44 who lives in the Staffordshire Moorlands, is currently the deputy chief fire officer for Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Fire Authority chairman Councillor Derek Davis said: "On behalf of the authority and following considerable discussion by members and professional advisors, I am very pleased to announce Mr Dartford will take up the position. The authority unanimously supported the appointment of Peter Dartford, following a rigorous, national selection process.

"We are absolutely confident he is the right officer to lead the development of the service in Staffordshire.

"Peter will assist in improving the safety of our communities through the provision of a first class fire and rescue service into the future."

Father-of-three Peter Dartford who holds an MA in English joined Hertfordshire Fire Brigade in 1982 as a firefighter.

He moved to Staffordshire in 1999 and became deputy chief fire officer in 2005.

He is believed to have picked up a pay packet in the region of £142,000 with his new promotion which comes with a five year contract.

That was the figured advertised when the job became available in September.

Mr Dartford said: "I am very pleased to have been appointed to the role at this crucial time in the development of the service in Staffordshire."

When the Mr Dartford takes over the move will herald a clean sweep for the county as all the emergency services in Staffordshire will be under new command.

Chief Constable Chris Sims took up his position as head of the police force in October and the county's ambulance service has been absorbed into the regional structure under the West Midlands Ambulance Service.