West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has officially confirmed Gary Ball as its new Deputy Chief Fire Officer, following a successful interim stint earlier this month.
The appointment comes after his predecessor, Matt Cook, moved on to become Chief Fire Officer at Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
From Firefighter to Top Brass
Gary Ball’s career has been a testament to dedication and service.
He began his firefighting journey in 2002 with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, serving the communities of Portsmouth and Southampton for 12 years.
In 2017, he joined West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as a Station Manager at Bognor Regis, rapidly climbing the ranks to become Assistant Chief Fire Officer last year.
Now stepping into the Deputy Chief role permanently, Ball shared his excitement:
“I am delighted to have been appointed as Deputy Chief Fire Officer and I feel incredibly proud to serve the communities of West Sussex. Our staff work tirelessly to support each other and the public. It’s a great honour, and I will do my utmost to support my colleagues and our communities to the fullest.”
Key Achievements and National Leadership
During his time in West Sussex, Gary Ball has been instrumental in major projects, including:
- Driving the HMICFRS Improvement Plan, leading to major strides in the service’s transformation journey.
- Introducing the Performance and Assurance Framework, ensuring governance and oversight over statutory obligations.
On top of his duties in West Sussex, Ball also holds a national role as the National Fire Chiefs Council Lead for On-call, overseeing work related to the retained duty system—critical for managing on-call firefighter operations across the country.
What’s Next for West Sussex Fire & Rescue?
While Ball settles into his new leadership role, the service continues its search for a new Chief Fire Officer. This follows the recent departure of Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who was appointed to lead Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.
The announcement marks a pivotal moment for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as it strengthens its leadership team and continues its commitment to delivering top-tier emergency services to the county.
