THE proposed new Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has been named by Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

Rick Hylton is currently the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the service and was selected by Mr Hirst and the interview panel from what was described as a strong field of national and international candidates from both fire and rescue services, public and private sector organisations.

Mr Hirst will present his preferred candidate to the Police, Fire and Crime Panel at a statutory confirmation hearing that will take place on 21 October.

Mr Hylton replaces Jo Turton, who decided to stand down after three and half years in the role.

Mr Hirst said: "Rick's selection is well deserved. He is an out-standing individual who has already contributed so much to both the Service and Greater Essex as co-chair of the Essex Resilience Forum, helping to lead Essex as we worked through the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He is highly respected as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, building trusted relationships within the Service as well as with partners and communities across Essex. He will continue to build on the great work and progress the Service has made and I, along with the rest of the recruitment panel, were impressed with his aspirations to take the Service forwards."

Rick Hylton said: "I feel truly honoured to have been selected as the preferred candidate in this process for the Chief Fire Officer. I am privileged to be the Deputy Chief Fire Officer here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and I welcome the opportunity to have been shortlisted to become CFO for the Service and to continue working with my colleagues."

Mr Hylton joined Cambridgeshire fire and rescue service in 1997. Having worked in a variety of roles he was appointed Head of Community Safety in 2010. Focusing on data sharing arrangements with partners to identify, triage and deliver to the most vulnerable he established the first joint education and enforcement team with Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire Police, in addition to implementing the services first volunteer scheme.

In 2016 he was appointed Assistant Chief Fire Officer with responsibilities for service delivery and operational support, where he led change to crewing systems and the introduction of portable misting systems for vulnerable persons. He was also the executive officer responsible for leading Cambridgeshire through the first HMICFRS inspection process.

In 2019, Mr Hylton joined Essex County Fire and Rescue Service as the deputy chief fire officer with responsibilities for strategic planning, assurance and performance and is the strategic lead for collaboration, working with partners to deliver on the Police Fire and Crime Commissioners local business case. In 2020 he was the co-chair of the Essex Strategic Coordination Group for the Covid 19 pandemic.

Mr Hylton has a master's in public administration from Warwick University. He is married with two children.