Ron Dobson

Ronald James Dobson, CBE, QFSM, FIFireE is a retired senior British firefighter. He was the Chief Fire Officer of the London Fire Brigade[1] until 31 December 2016.[2]

Ron James Dobson CBE QFSM FIFireE
Commissioner of London Fire Brigade
In office 1 October 2007 – 31 December 2016
Succeeded by	Dany Cotton
Personal details
Born	Ronald James Dobson United Kingdom
Occupation	Fire fighter

Career

Dobson joined the London Fire Brigade in 1979 and rose through the ranks to be promoted Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 2000. In 2002, he became the principal officer responsible for delivering the Brigade's day-to-day operations.[1]

On 1 October 2007, he was appointed Commissioner for Fire and Emergency Planning at the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, succeeding Sir Ken Knight. He was responsible for the world's third largest fire and rescue service with 112 fire stations and 7000 staff, 6000 of whom are operational firefighters. Until his promotion to Chief Fire Officer, he was responsible for operational policy and training. The title is generally shortened to commissioner – the most senior officer of the LFEPA, but the role includes all the functions of a Chief Fire Officer or Brigade Manager in a local authority fire and rescue service.[3]

Controversy

In November 2011, it was revealed that Dobson had retired from his £200,000-a-year post to access an estimated £700,000 lump sum from his pension fund. He was then immediately re-employed into his old position, albeit on lower pay. The move was described by the Fire Brigades Union as 'deeply unethical'.[4]

Honours

Dobson was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) in the 2005 New Year Honours.[5] He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours.[6] He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.[7]

References

1. London Fire Brigade: LFB appoints new Commissioner, press release: R062/07, 01 Oct 07, (accessed 23 Oct 07)
2. Brigade, London Fire. "London Fire Brigade - News releases container". www.london-fire.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
3. London Fire Brigade: Our Organisation (accessed 23 Oct 07) Archived 8 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
4. Adams, Lucy (23 December 2011). "Retired fire chief's return faces review". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
5. "No. 57509". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2004. p. 26.
6. "No. 59647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2010. p. 7.
7. "Ron Dobson CBE, QFSM, FIFireE, Commissioner". Senior management team. London Fire Brigade. Retrieved 25 August 2013.

See also

• London Fire Brigade
• Chief Fire Officer
• London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
• Chief Fire Officers Association