Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service Press Release
Terry calls time on an outstanding career

Terry Standing will retire as Chief Fire Officer and Group Director of Community Safety on March 31st, 2010.

Terry was appointed to this joint role in January 2006 with responsibility for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Community Safety, the Emergency Management Service, Trading Standards and Coroners and Registrars. He had previously been Deputy Chief Fire Officer since 2001, having joined the Service in Gloucestershire from Hertfordshire, where he had been Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

His time as Group Director and Chief Fire Officer has certainly been eventful, overseeing the emergency response to the devastating floods of July 2007, the equally challenging clean-up operation and the subsequent arrival of two state-of-the-art new hovercrafts into the county.

He was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in 2008 for his work during the floods and recognising almost 30 years of service. He visited Windsor Castle with his family to collect the honour, which is awarded for distinguished service to the fire brigade.

Last year, Terry put in place a new strategy for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service entitled ‘Forward to Basics’. This was ultimately about firefighter safety, improving partnership working and driving efficiencies. He leaves the Service at an exciting time, after instigating a significant project that will provide four new fire stations, including a fantastic new Life Skills Centre.

Terry said: “I have enjoyed an exceptionally rewarding career, particularly my time here in Gloucestershire with the fire and rescue service and in my wider role as a group director. This role has brought a huge amount of variety to the day job, encompassing so many different areas of responsibility.

“I want to thank staff from the whole of the Community Safety Directorate for the incredible support I have received from them. I will miss everyone I have worked with and wish them all the best for the future. The Directorate is in good health and I’m sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.

“Now I am looking forward to retirement, spending more time with my family and starting another exciting chapter in my life. Even though I am leaving, I’ll be staying in touch with many of colleagues.”

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was awarded three stars (out of a possible four) in its most recent Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), rated as ‘performing well’. It was praised as being good at keeping people in the county safe, for its efficiency and for managing change and costs well.

Terry was seconded to Cornwall County Fire Brigade from January until May 31st 2009 to provide leadership and command, as the Brigade had been rated as poor and going backwards in its Audit Commission report. He implemented a number of crucial changes designed to bring about significant improvements, including recruiting a new Chief Fire Officer and Head of Community Safety.

Gloucestershire’s current Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Chris Griffin, will take command when Terry leaves while the county council looks to find Terry’s successor.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Terry has been hugely successful in leading the Community Safety directorate, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and Cabinet Members throughout Gloucestershire County Council.

“He has managed the Service with great skill and commitment in the last four years - a period of great change and even greater challenges. On a personal note I have enjoyed working with Terry and thank him for the amount of invaluable help he gave me when I was appointed. Thank you Terry for all of your hard work and my best wishes for a happy retirement after an exceptional career.”

Issued by: Dawn Thompson , Marketing and Communications Manager, Gloucestershire County Council Community Safety Directorate, 01452 426887, dawn.thompson@glosfire.gov.uk

5th February 2010