Fire Service Snags Top London Boss for Assistant Chief Role
Richard Welch, Deputy Assistant Commissioner at London Fire Brigade, is set to join Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) as Assistant Chief Fire Officer later this year. The announcement came after a rigorous selection process by the People and Culture Committee’s Employment Panel on August 9.
Strong Competition, Clear Winner
Councillor David Wilcox, Chair of the Employment Panel, said, “We received a high number of top-notch applications for the role. After a thorough recruitment process, we’re confident Richard is the right fit to support the Chief Fire Officer and drive continuous improvement.
AF&RS Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton praised the pick: “Congratulations to Richard on winning an incredibly competitive process. His depth of experience will boost our efficient and cost-effective service to local communities. He’s a fantastic addition, and I look forward to working with him.”
Firefighting Heavyweight with a Proven Track Record
Richard’s career kicked off at London Fire Brigade in 1996. He served across South East and South West London stations before launching the Local Intervention Fire Education (L.I.F.E) project in East London, earning the Mayor’s London Day Award in 2003 for improving lives.
He climbed the ranks fast — Station Manager in 2009, then Borough Commander in Bexley, Southwark, and Lambeth. In 2017, he became Deputy Assistant Commissioner responsible for regulatory fire safety. From 2019 to 2022, he oversaw London’s South East and North East areas.
On the Frontline of Major Crises
Richard led the response as Incident Commander at the Grenfell Tower fire and Parsons Green terror attack, both declared Major Incidents. He’s been honoured multiple times for bravery, leadership, and community work. Before firefighting, he was an RNLI lifeboat crew member, earning a bronze award for gallantry.
Off-Duty Life: Family, Cycling, and Travel
Richard is a family man with four grown sons and five grandchildren. When not fighting fires, he enjoys cycling and exploring new destinations.
