New fire officer appointed

Mr Thelwell, 43, current deputy chief fire officer and chief operating officer will succeed Mark Jones early next year.

The appointment was confirmed by Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority’s executive committee at its meeting in Aylesbury yesterday (Wednesday).

It followed recommendations from a selection panel comprising elected members and Sir Ken Knight, who was until recently the Government’s chief fire and rescue advisor.

Mr Jones will complete his five-year term in January 2015, and retire the following month after a short hand-over period, bringing to an end his 30-year fire and rescue service career.

Mr Thelwell joined Bucks Fire and Rescue as assistant chief fire officer in May 2010 after 17 years with Cheshire Fire and Rescue.

Councillor Adrian Busby, chairman of Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority and its executive committee said: “I am delighted that Jason has been successful in his application for the position of Chief Fire Officer on the retirement of Mark Jones and I look forward to working with Jason as we continue on our journey.

“Mark’s legacy has provided us with an immediate successor, who we are confident will continue to build on the remarkable success story of the past five years with the excellent team which he and Mark have assembled.”