The newly appointed Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) expressed his immense pride upon receiving the prestigious King’s Fire Service Medal.
Peter Heath has been honoured in His Majesty the King’s inaugural Birthday Honours List, which pays tribute to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to public service.
Having served as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer at TWFRS since 2020, Peter was officially named as the successor to Chris Lowther as the Chief Fire Officer in May. Chris is set to retire in October.
Currently holding the title of Chief Fire Officer Designate, Peter’s appointment to the permanent role is imminent. He embarked on his journey in the fire service in 1992, and for an astounding 31 years, he has tirelessly served various communities, embodying the spirit of a devoted public servant.
“I feel very humbled and honoured to have been awarded the Kings Fire Service Medal (KFSM).
“The support of my family has enabled me to commit myself over the last 30 plus years to doing my best and for them as much as myself I feel very grateful for the recognition.”
Peter said on Saturday
“Peter is an extremely deserving recipient of the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM).
“In my time in the Service I can’t remember working with a more exceptional fire officer and I want to offer my congratulations, and thanks, on behalf of everyone at TWFRS.”
Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther
Cllr Phil Tye, Chairperson of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority, has also paid tribute to Peter and his commitment to public service.
“Peter has been a huge support to me in my time as Chairperson of the Fire Authority and I have witnessed first hand the transformational impact he has had on the Service.
“Not many individuals have served for 31 years in the fire and rescue service and Peter’s ongoing commitment to keeping communities safe here in Tyne and Wear fills me with immense pride.”
Peter joined the Fire Service in 1992 when he began a career as a firefighter with the Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade in Scotland.
He served at several fire stations across Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders as Firefighter, Leading Firefighter, Sub Officer and Station Officer.
Peter also held roles as a Fire Safety Enforcement Officer, Training Officer, in Operational Planning as well as a range of managerial and leadership roles including a two-year secondment to the Scottish Fire Services College as a Group Manager in the learning development team.
In 2013, following the creation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Peter was Programme Manager and led work on Operational Response and Resilience to ensure readiness for the commencement of the new service on day one.
Peter joined TWFRS as Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 2020, a position he has served for the last three years before being appointed as Chief Fire Officer in May.
He continues to serve as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, while also holding the position of Chief Fire Officer Designate, until the retirement of Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther in October 2023.
