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Avon Fire & Rescue Service is pleased to welcome its new Chief Fire Officer, Matt Cook. He brings a wealth of experience and a clear commitment to supporting staff to be the best they can be, while strengthening the positive impact the Service has on its communities.
“I’m proud to be joining Avon Fire & Rescue Service,” he said. “I’ve already met some incredibly dedicated people, and I’m looking forward to getting out and about to learn more about the Service and the communities we serve. I’m dedicated to the communities Avon Fire and Rescue Service serves, and to supporting our firefighters, control officers, and colleagues across the service, ensuring we continue to deliver a service we can all be proud of. ”
In the months ahead, he will be visiting stations, work locations, and community initiatives across the region to hear directly from staff and partners about the Service’s strengths and how it can continue to thrive.
“My focus right now is on listening and learning – understanding what’s working, what challenges people are facing, and where I can help,” he added. “There’s a strong sense of pride and dedication here, and I want to build on that to ensure we are delivering the very best service we can, for local people and for our staff. Our communities deserve nothing less.”
Avon Fire & Rescue Service looks forward to working under his leadership to continue evolving and improving for the benefit of the people it serves.
Chair of Avon Fire Authority, Paul Goggin, welcomed Matt to the Service, he said: “Matt’s extensive experience and forward-thinking approach make him the ideal leader for Avon Fire & Rescue Service. His commitment to innovation, public safety, and workforce development will be instrumental in driving the Service forward.
“On behalf of the Fire Authority, our communities and the Service, we welcome Matt and look forward to a new chapter under his leadership.”
With a distinguished career in the fire and rescue sector, Matt brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role, he joined Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service as a firefighter in 2001 before transferring to London Fire Brigade (LFB). Following this, Matt served as Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service where he led People and Corporate Services before being appointed as interim Deputy Chief at the Service in September 2023. Matt now joins Avon Fire & Rescue Service following his tenure as Deputy Chief Fire Officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, where he led significant collaboration workstreams, including the Safer West Sussex Partnership.