Chief Fire Officer to step down following decades of service

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service has announced that Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock will step down from his role in June, following an 18-month period leading the service through a significant period of improvement and change.

Paul returned from retirement to take on the role on an interim basis, having previously served as Senior Fire Lead, with a focus on bringing stability, clarity and direction to the service while progressing improvements following the most recent HMICFRS inspection.

Paul began his fire service career in Cumbria at Workington in 1985 and served at Barrow and Kendal, with stints at Penrith Training Centre and A Division (west Cumbria), before moving to headquarters as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 2005. In 2007, he transferred to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service on promotion to Deputy Chief Fire Officer and became Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive in 2009. He was also President of the Chief Fire Officers Association between 2015 and 2016.

Paul has dedicated more than four decades to public service. Over the course of his career, he has held senior leadership positions across the fire and rescue sector and was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal (QFSM) in 2014 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the fire and rescue service. In 2019, he was further recognised with an OBE for services to fire and rescue.

Alongside his professional career, Paul also enjoyed an outstanding rugby career, representing both Cumbria and England and Great Britain Fire Services. He was part of the side in Cumbria’s historic 1997 Rugby Union County Championship victory over Somerset at Twickenham, securing the county’s first championship title in more than 70 years.

During his time as Chief Fire Officer in Cumbria, the service has delivered substantial progress against its improvement plan, strengthened governance and programme management arrangements, completed a county-wide operational fire cover review, which will help shape the service’s next Community Risk Management Plan, and started preparations for the transfer of the service’s governance to the Mayor of the newly-created Cumbria Combined Authority in May 2027.

Arrangements are now under way to appoint a temporary successor, with the transition taking effect from Monday 8 June 2026 to ensure continuity of leadership while longer-term arrangements are progressed ahead of the transfer of governance to the Mayor next year.

Paul Hancock said:

“When I took on this role, it was always intended to be for a defined period, focused on supporting the service through a challenging but important phase of improvement and change.

“Over the last 18 months, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredibly dedicated and professional workforce who care deeply about the communities they serve. Together, we’ve made significant progress in strengthening the service and putting in place strong foundations for the future.

“Returning to the service where my career began more than 40 years ago has meant a great deal to me personally. There is a real spirit and pride across Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and I know that will continue long into the future.

“I leave with every confidence in the people across the service and in its ability to continue moving forward positively.”

Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, paid tribute to Paul Hancock’s leadership and public service.

David Allen said:

“I want to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul for the commitment, professionalism and calm leadership he has shown during his time as Chief Fire Officer.

“Paul has given decades of dedicated service to the fire and rescue sector, beginning his career in Cumbria in 1986, and his experience, integrity and leadership have earned huge respect across the profession.

“He stepped into this role at an important moment for the authority and has worked tirelessly to provide stability, drive improvement and support staff through a period of significant change. His contribution over the last 18 months has been invaluable in helping move the service forward.

“On a personal level, Paul has been a pleasure to work alongside. He cares deeply about Cumbria, about public service and about the people within the organisation. That has been clear in everything he has done.

“On behalf of the people of Cumbria, I want to thank Paul for his decades of service and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”