NORTH Yorkshire’s Chief Fire Officer Andrew Brodie is retiring and a recruitment drive has been launched to find his replacement.

Mr Brodie was appointed Chief Fire Officer for the region in July 2019 after serving in the role as interim for the previous six months.

His past includes working in the fire and rescue services of London, Cumbria and Leicestershire.

Now he has decided to retire, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott is seeking a replacement who will continue Mr Brodie's work on modernising the way the fire service operates.

Mr Allott said: “We have a committed, determined and passionate workforce who make a real difference to keeping the people of North Yorkshire and York safe and feeling safe.

"Resources are always constrained, and we need to continue the work to ensure we have a strong and sustainable service which is innovative in its response and preventative practices.

“It is an exciting opportunity to join and lead the Fire and Rescue Service, to ensure our communities remain some of the safest to live and work in the country, and deliver a modern, reactive and respected organisation which protects people and property and saves lives.”