NORTHUMBERLAND Fire and Rescue Service has a new boss at the helm after councillors backed the appointment.

Current deputy chief fire officer Graeme Binning will step up to the role of chief fire officer (CFO) for the service following the retirement of current chief Paul Hedley in August.

Mr Binning’s career has spanned multiple fire services in England and Scotland across two decades, with the dad of two saying he was “honoured” to take up the role.

The experienced firefighter joined Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2001 before transferring to Strathclyde Fire Brigade. The service later became Strathclyde Fire and Rescue before the creation of a single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2013.

Mr Binning worked across several portfolios in several different areas of Scotland during his time north of the border, before joining NFRS in 2020 as deputy chief. Since then, he has worked to “develop a culture of continuous improvement”.

Graeme said: “It’s a great honour to be appointed as the new Chief Fire Officer, and I’m excited to be following the good work of Paul. Northumberland is a beautiful place to work, and I’m happy to be working alongside people who make this county proud and to be serving the people in it.”

Outgoing chief Paul Hedley added: “I’m delighted that Graeme will be the next CFO of Northumberland.  

"Graeme has been the deputy chief for the last two and a half years and he has already made a tremendous impact during that time, leading on some hugely significant service improvements and he’s an integral member of Northumberland FRS and County Council. 

“To have an officer of Graeme’s quality and calibre leading our service and our wider directorate, means that our staff, residents and partners can have confidence that we will continue our work to respond to the changing needs of our communities and improve all aspects of our service delivery.”

The appointment was confirmed at Thursday’s meeting of Northumberland County Council’s staff and appointments committee, along with the appointment of the council’s new director of public protection, head of legal services and head of member services and elections.

The names of the other officers were not given in public session, with personal details discussed in private session.

The council’s CEO, Helen Paterson, said it had been a “very thorough process”. The appointments were unanimously approved by the committee.

Deputy leader Cllr Richard Wearmouth added: “I’m very pleased with the appointments that are being proposed. I’m very reassured with the process that has gone through.”