Salamander Issue 2

17 / 24

Page 17 Follow us on twitter @LondonFire1666
MEET THE CHIEF
He added: “Over time I’ve come to realise that
an organisation is not a bunch of processes,
procedures and structures. It’s a living thing
made of people who come to work every
day to do the best they can. By focusing on
encouraging and building effective and strong
working networks throughout an organisation,
and demonstrating every day that people are
highly valued, it is possible for an organisation
to reach its full potential. This is an ideology that
is now close to my heart and it is something I
will pursue for the remainder of my working life.”
“It is important as a senior leader you are
emotionally intelligent and it has been a real
refocus for me as Chief to spend more time with
people on the ground so my decisions are well
rounded and informed. It’s about finding ways
to fully engage with people and continuously
demonstrating you value people is a critical part
of being a leader. By doing so people are more
likely to trust you sufficiently to align with the
direction you have to take, even if they don’t
agree with it.”
Chris’ youngest son, Myles, has followed in his
footsteps and is a Cambridgeshire firefighter.
His eldest son Joel is studying for a PhD in
Aeronautical Engineering in Leicester. Chris
has a third child, ten-year-old Ebrielle, whose
name comes from the Cornish variant for the
month of April, the month in which she was
born.
So having got it right by his kids, we asked Chris
how he was hoping to get it right by the Service.
In other words, what kind of stamp he would
leave behind if he left the Service tomorrow.
“My aim is to stay at the helm and to help
guide the organisation through what has been,
and will continue to be, challenging times and
when I finally retire I am hoping to leave an
organisation where people enjoy coming to
work and deliver the best possible service to
the community. And that I leave an organisation
still striving to improve.”
017 | | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 20-21 September 2017 | | Hall 5 |
Photograph©ESS
“The job has changed so much in
30 years so ESS is great to keep
me up-to-date with the industry.”
Paul Thurston, Firefighter,
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
The Emergency Services Show 2017 – it’s all about you
A unique event for everyone who works in the emergency services. Over 400 exhibitors, free CPD-accredited seminars and live
product and rescue demonstrations. Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham. Wed 20 – Thu 21 September 2017. Free entry at
Eventsponsors Eventpartners Eventsupportedby
ESS17 185x128HP USE.qxp_Layout 1 27/04/2017 12:43 Page 11
COME AND SEE US AT STAND S7