New leadership at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service starts 2022 with a new leadership team at the helm.
Chief Fire Officer / Chief Executive Rick Hylton and Deputy Chief Fire Officer Moira Bruin formally began their roles today (Saturday 1 January).
Rick succeeds Jo Turton, who retired in December after three-and-a-half years in the post, and Moira, who was previously Assistant Chief Fire Officer, takes on Rick’s former role.
Their ambition is for Essex to become one of the best fire and rescue services in the country.
Rick, who joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in 2019, said: “I am exceptionally proud to be given the opportunity to lead this great organisation alongside Moira.
“It is our role to make sure all of our colleagues flourish and provide the best possible service to the people of Essex.
“Our ambition is to be one of the best fire and rescue services in the country – it is what our communities deserve, and it is an ambition that I believe is achievable.”
Moira joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in 2012 after an 18-year career at Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.
She said: “It is an immense honour to be Deputy Chief Fire Officer and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’m extremely proud to work with more than 1,400 exceptional colleagues. I am looking forward to listening to what they have to say and together keeping our residents and businesses safe and sound.”
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, thanked Jo Turton for her leadership and congratulated both Rick and Moira.
He said: “The fire and rescue service in Essex is in a good place thanks to the work of Jo Turton, the leadership team she established and, of course, the efforts of all the Service’s staff and volunteers who are committed to keeping the people of Essex safe.
“The Service has a bright future and both Rick and Moira are excellent, respected leaders with already proven track records.
“We’ll be working together to deliver my Fire and Rescue Plan for Essex and realise our vision that safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build success and wellbeing for all.”
Editor’s notes:
Rick first became a Firefighter at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1997, before being appointed Head of Community Safety in 2010 and Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 2016. He joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service as Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 2019, and has been the acting chief fire officer since September.
Rick is also co-chair of the Essex Resilience Forum and has been the National Fire Chiefs' Council’s gold group lead for prevention throughout the pandemic response.
Moira first became a Firefighter in 1994, having joined the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service in Scotland. She held Group Commander roles in public safety and with the Scottish Government.
Moira then joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service as Group Manager for Operations in 2012 and was most recently Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Director of Operations.
