New Chief Signs in at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Jo Turton started work today as the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive for Essex, taking over from Adam Eckley who retires after 33 years in the Fire and Rescue Service. [caption id="attachment_11193" align="alignright" width="300"] © Clarissa Debenham Photography. www.clarissadebenhamphotography.co.uk @clarissadebenhamphotography[/caption] Her experience managing complex organisations, and expertise in delivering organisational and cultural change in a challenging financial environment, means Jo is perfectly placed to build on recent progress as ECFRS continues its journey to becoming one of the best performing Services in Britain. Jo’s priorities with regards to County-wide improved fire prevention and emergency response will be supported by the prevention, protection and response model, and aim to make Essex a safe place to live, work and travel. With an energetic and straightforward approach to her role, Jo will be an accessible and visible leader. Commenting on the task ahead she said: “I am delighted and thrilled to start work as the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive for ECFRS. This is a challenging and exciting time for ECFRS and I’m looking forward to leading a Service that I believe has the capacity to be the best in Britain. “I don’t for one second underestimate the complexity of the role, and over the next six months I’ll be visiting fire stations, sites and support services, meeting staff and gaining first hand an understanding of the risks, needs and priorities of the people that make a difference to the safety of the people of Essex.” Commenting on Jo’s appointment, Essex Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner said: “Jo’s first class experience as a Chief Executive of a large, upper tier County Council is what we need to move forward on our transformational journey, and I am confident that her appointment is the best we could have made for the future of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.”