'A great role model and mentor'...tributes to ex-deputy fire chief

Valued and respected' former soldier dies after short illness

- NEAL KEELING

AS a young soldier, he did tours of duty in Northern Ireland and in later life as a high-ranking officer had to face the harsh aftermath of the strongly criticised fire service response to the Manchester Arena bombing. But one former colleague this week said of Paul Argyle: "He was a nice fella and a professional firefighter"

Mr Argyle, Greater Manchester's former Deputy Chief Fire Officer, who has died aged 60 after a short illness, was highly regarded within the service. Dave Russel, the service's current Chief Fire Officer, said: "Paul was a valued and respected member of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for over 30 years, known equally for his kindness and his keen sense of public service.

"He was an outstanding role model and mentor who had a positive impact on the community of Greater Manchester and many fire officers through the years. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Mr Argyle was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal in 2018 for distinguished service.

Born in Chilwell, Nottingham, Mr Argyle served in Belfast and Germany with the Royal Green Jackets before joining the fire service in Greater Manchester in 1986, where he served until 2017, retiring from the service as Deputy Chief Fire Officer. After joining the service in September 1986 his first posting was Whitefield, but he worked at stations across the region. He became Deputy County Fire Officer in 2015.

During this time, he took pride in being the chair of the Greater Manchester Resilience Forum for a number of years.

Following his retirement, he continued to serve as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Strategic Lead and Fire Advisor to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor until 2019.

He was also a magistrate for the last three years, working one day a week, mostly in Wigan and Bolton.

He also became a keen golfer and played squash for his local club.