In a significant development of fire and rescue services in the Southwest, Gavin Ellis has been appointed as the permanent Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset. The decision was made by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority during their meeting on 10 June 2024.
Ellis has been serving as the interim Chief Fire Officer since May 2023, taking over from Lee Howell, who is set to retire in September after a secondment at the National Fire Chiefs Council. Howell’s departure marks the end of a remarkable 16-year tenure as Chief Fire Officer.
