Tributes to fire chief who made a difference across three decades

GAVIN JOINED SERVICE AS TRAINEE IN 1993, SHOWCASING DEDICATION AND COMPASSION

- By OSCAR FISHER

TOUCHING tributes have been paid to a long-serving Derbyshire firefighter following his death this week.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed with “great sadness” that its former chief fire officer and chief executive, Gavin Tomlinson, died on Wednesday.

Mr Tomlinson joined the fire service as a trainee firefighter back on September 1, 1993, marking the beginning of an impressive and impactful career serving the county.

Mr Tomlinson rose through many ranks over the next 31 years, eventually becoming chief fire officer and chief executive in 2019.

On his retirement from the fire service in February this year, Mr Tomlinson was quoted as saying: “It has been a privilege to be the chief fire officer for Derbyshire.”