Fire Consultant

• Nov 2021 - Present

Role is predominately carrying out Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Safety Awareness and Fire Warden training. In addition provide fire safety advice to third parties in respect to compliance with fire safety legislation and fire safety requirements in respect to relevant building standards. Role is predominately carrying out Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Safety Awareness and Fire Warden training. In addition provide fire safety advice to third parties in respect to compliance with fire safety legislation and fire safety requirements in respect to relevant building standards.

Semi Retired

• Feb 2020 - Present

Retired from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and looking to keep myself occupied mainly through the volunteering roles I have. Still looking for challenges and the property development/ maintenance business will keep me active.. Retired from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and looking to keep myself occupied mainly through the volunteering roles I have. Still looking for challenges and the property development/ maintenance business will keep me active..

Scottish Coordinator

• Nov 2015 - Present

I became involved with the not for profit organisation through my friend Ron Ewing; he brought the organisation to my attention in 2015 and asked if I would support him in making the kits available to all the fire stations in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). Over the next 3 years I coordinated all the SFRS side of this partnership, producing guidance to crews and Smokey Paws Ltd. Ron's passion for this work was infectious and never ending and just prior to his passing in 2018 we had over 240 kits in stations across all parts of Scotland. These donations made possible through the kindness and generosity of individuals, groups, charities and businesses who donated/ raised the funds to pay for the kits. Another charity close to my heart Boxer Welfare Scotland also came on board and supplied 50 of these life saving kits to stations. After Ron's death I took on the role as Smokey Paws representative in Scotland and continue in that role even past retiring from the fire service in 2020. I am very proud of what has been achieved over a relatively short period of time. In March 2020 we held a national recognition event hosted by Martin Blunden, the Chief Officer of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. At that event a number of people who were donating kits, along with the Smokey Paws Ltd founders and fire service personnel celebrated the fact we had placed 453 kits into stations. There are 3 stations awaiting kits and these will be arranged following support from a vet practice in Fort William. Show less

Volunteer

• Nov 2009 - Present

I have been actively involved in the partnership between Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and since 2013 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Whilst still in the fire service I was the West Service Delivery Area Vice Chair and took great pride in supporting and developing the partnership across several Local Authority Areas, mentoring the local SFRS Partnership leads and generally being there as part of the journey. This partnership has had huge positive impacts across Scotland and further afield. We have educated thousands of young people across Scotland and then helped recruit potential lifesavers onto the Anthony Nolan Donor Register. Being part of this partnership will be a lifetime commitment and since retiring in 2020 I have continued to be a volunteer albeit now out of uniform and proudly wearing my partnership branded t-shirt instead. There are many highlights in my 26 year fire service career, but one of the greatest was being in London in November 2019 with Ally Boyle (the power behind the partnership) and Andy Watt (Chair of Partnership) where we shared in an inspirational evening and the SFRS won the Shirley Nolan Award for special recognition. So proud to be there representing the best team ever. Show less

Retired Senior Fire Officer

• Feb 2020 - Nov 2021

Group Manager

• Apr 2011 - Mar 2020

Currently Head of Protection and Prevention for North Lanarkshire, responsible for the implementation of service policy to support the Strategic Plan, Local Fire Plan and Single Outcome Agreement.I manage all aspects of Prevention and Protection, implementing policy and procedure to support the Corporate and Local Plans. I am a highly able and effective project manager. Within my current and previous roles I have demonstrated my ability to influence and improve service delivery. I am embedded within the Community Planning ethos and work very effectively with community planning partners. I effectively manage operational incidents and undertake a diverse range of roles including Incident Command, Health & Safety, HAZMAT, Technical Advisor, Operational Review, Media and Loggist.I continually improve my knowledge and ability to deal with more dynamic and challenging incidents through attendance at practical training exercises, table top exercises and courses.I utilise the knowledge and experience gained over the past twenty-two years in the Fire Service when making decisions. I have been extremely fortunate to have a career which has provided me with diverse opportunities to develop from initial operational firefighter, to the role of Instructor at the Brigade Training Centre, and to the position of Fire Safety Officer. These roles have positively impacted on my overall ability in my role.I have demonstrated excellent management in respect of the diverse range of personnel issues which I have dealt with. This range from routine daily enquires for leave, dealing with individual’s welfare matters, to carrying out investigations and hearing discipline cases. I continually strive to be an ethical and open manager and treat everyone I am dealing with in a professional manner at all times. Show less

Area Commander

• Aug 2018 - Feb 2020

Local Senior Officer for Argyll and Bute, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire. Responsible for all aspects of service delivery for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) across the three Local Authority areas. Across these three Local Authorities there are 45 community fire stations; which accommodate 7 Wholetime stations, 17 Retained Duty System Units and 24 Volunteer Duty System Units.Strategic lead for Community Planning and compliance with statuary duties under Community Empowerment Act. Show less

Area Manager

• Jan 2018 - Feb 2020

Station Commander

• Feb 2008 - Apr 2011

Supported the Area Commander to ensure the strategic aims of the Service were effectively achieved by my supporting any initiatives at Station level.Managing the Operational activities, Community Safety initiatives and Partnerships within my area of responsibility I worked to highlight areas of strength and weakness, which were then enhanced to provide the best results in relation to the targets as, detailed within the Service 2015 Vision document.Supported the Watch Commanders and their watch personnel to develop themselves in all aspects of their roles.Delivered Community Safety initiatives through partnership working to deal with current safety trends within the local communities. This included demand reduction strategies designed to improve service delivery and enhance safer communities in line with the National Priorities.Ensured the safety of operational personnel and stakeholders by carrying out operational reviews as often as possible, debriefing personnel and where necessary instigated additional training to address development needs highlighted through the review process.Mentored personnel in terms of development and conduct.Organised realistic practical training events to provide opportunities for operational personnel to consolidate their learning outcomes in line with service policy and procedures.Attended development courses and sessions to improve my incident command capabilities. Show less

Fire Safety Officer

• Jan 2002 - Feb 2008

Sub Officer

• Oct 2001 - Feb 2002

Training Officer

• Sep 1999 - Dec 2000

Leading Firefighter

• Sep 1998 - Sep 1999

Firefighter

• Feb 1994 - Sep 1998

Sales Representative

• 1992 - 1994

Sales rep covering Cumbernauld, East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire. Selling premium frozen goods to catering establishments. Building customer base through honest hard working ethic. Sales rep covering Cumbernauld, East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire. Selling premium frozen goods to catering establishments. Building customer base through honest hard working ethic.

Manager

• 1989 - 1992