Position: Deputy Chief Fire Officer
Organisation: Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Salary: £146,228 – £157,472 per annum
Location: Based at Headquarters Ripley, with some regional and national travel. The post holder will be required to provide a standby ‘out of hours’ base within 60 minutes of DFRS HQ, Ripley. A relocation allowance to support the above requirement will be available subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. This will be discussed with the successful candidate
Hours: 39.5 hours per week
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 10 May 2026
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in one of the UK’s most diverse and picturesque regions. Serving a population of over 1 million across 1,000 square miles, our Service protects communities ranging from the stunning landscapes of the Peak District to bustling towns and city, manufacturing hubs, and rural areas.
Following the promotion of our current DCFO to Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, we are looking for an exceptional leader to join us on our vision to Make Derbyshire Safer Together.
About the Role
As our next DCFO, you will:
· Champion cultural transformation within the Service, fostering an inclusive, progressive environment that supports and celebrates the diversity of our workforce and the communities we serve.
· Provide strategic leadership and operational excellence, ensuring our people are well-trained, well equipped, and ready to meet the varied demands of Derbyshire’s unique landscape.
· Play a pivotal role in maintaining public trust while navigating national challenges and ensuring DFRS remains at the forefront of modern fire and rescue services.
About You
To succeed in this critical role, you will be:
· An inspirational leader and role model, with a proven ability to deliver cultural and organisational change.
· An accomplished strategist with extensive operational experience in the fire and rescue service.
· Passionate about diversity, inclusion, and making a tangible difference for the people of Derbyshire.
· Ambitious, with a shared vision for building a modern, forward-thinking Fire and Rescue Service.
Essential Criteria includes:
· A degree qualification or above.
· Level 7 Award in Strategic Incident Command.
· Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) qualification.
Why Join Us?
At DFRS, we are committed to continuous improvement and putting people at the heart of everything we do. This is your opportunity to make a real impact – not just within the Service, but across the communities of Derbyshire.
What We Offer in Return:
We believe in rewarding our people, here’s what you can expect when you join us:
· Flexible working hours.
· Agile working.
· Family friendly policies.
· Annual Leave entitlement in a full leave year of 39 days, inclusive of concessionary and extra statutory days, plus bank holidays.
· Free, secure on-site car parking.
· Health & wellbeing services, including free access to gyms at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service locations.
· Employee discount scheme (Boost) and eligibility to apply for Blue Light Card.
· Employee support networks.
· Enhanced Maternity Pay (subject to meeting eligibility criteria).
· Ongoing training and development opportunities.
· Eligibility to join the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
Guidance on the Pension implications of taking a promotion are attached.
How to Apply:
We are a Disability Confident employer committed to equality and fairness at work. Applications are encouraged from all diverse communities. Under the Disability Confident scheme, we will offer an interview to a fair and proportionate number of applicants with a disability that meet the essential criteria for the role.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
Police security vetting procedures at the appropriate level will be requested for the successful applicant. Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
Due to the sensitive nature of the duties that the postholder will be expected to undertake, an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be requested for the successful applicant.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 10 May 2026.
For an informal chat regarding the role please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441 or via email at service_centre@derbys-fire.gov.uk.
If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, please contact the Service Centre on 01773 305441 or via email at service_centre@derbys-fire.gov.uk.