"A TRUE GENTLEMAN" Derbyshire fire chief Rob Taylor dies after short illness

england/east-midlands/derbyshire/”>Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has announced the death of its Chief Fire Officer...

Oliver Kent

Published: 11:30 am September 11, 2025

Updated: 11:23 am October 13, 2025

england/east-midlands/derbyshire/”>Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) has announced the death of its Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Rob Taylor, who passed away last night following a short and Suddensudden illness.

In a statement, the service said the thoughts and condolences of everyone at DFRS are with Mr Taylor’s family and friends. Support is being offered to staff and to the family, and the service requested privacy for relatives at this difficult time.

Mr Taylor joined DFRS in 2008 after transferring from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, beginning his Derbyshire career as a firefighter at Buxton Fire Station. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in August 2021 and, in February 2025, took up the role of Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive.

An online book of condolence for Mr Taylor is expected to open on the DFRS website within the next 24 hours, with further details to follow.

As a contingency measure, the Fire and Rescue Authority has appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mick Sharman as acting Chief Fire Officer, while Area Manager Clive Stanbrook continues as acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

This story will be updated when details of the online book of condolence are published and as further tributes are issued.