NATHAN Travis has been appointed Chief Fire officer for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service on a permanent basis.

The Fire Authority announced Mr Travis, who joined the organisation in April as interim, had secured the job, following an interview process by the Appointments Committee.

He arrived on secondment from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and has spent almost 23 years in the fire service.

He officially started his career in the fire service in 1993 with Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service and progressed through the ranks to Area Commander. In 2011, he joined Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service as Assistant Chief Fire Officer before being promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 2013.

He said: “I’m extremely honoured to be joining Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service as Chief Fire Officer/ Chief Executive on a permanent basis.

“The Service has already worked extremely hard over the last five years to ensure it is well-positioned to meet the challenges ahead.

“My intention is to ensure that we continue to successfully prioritise those areas where we need to make progress and lay the further foundations for a sustainable organisation that adds real value to the local communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”

Chairman of the Fire Authority, Derek Prodger MBE, said: “I’d like to congratulate Nathan on his permanent appointment and I have every confidence that he will be a strong leader that will help drive the organisation into the future.”