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Buckinghamshire fire chief Louise Harrison announces resignation
Overview
Louise Harrison, the chief of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service who was appointed in 2023, has announced she is stepping down from her role next spring with "a real sense of sadness". During her tenure, the service successfully exited special measures following significant improvements noted in a recent inspection, despite initial criticism from the Fire Brigades Union regarding her lack of a traditional firefighting background.
Key points
- Louise Harrison has announced her resignation as chief of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, effective next spring.
- She was appointed in 2023 after a 31-year career in policing, which initially drew criticism from the Fire Brigades Union over her lack of firefighting experience.
- Under her leadership, the fire service came out of special measures following a positive inspection report highlighting significant improvements.
- The fire service did not provide a specific reason for her departure, and a timetable for appointing her successor has not yet been announced.