Our Strategic Leadership Team has overall responsibility for running the Service.
Andy Cole
Chief Fire Officer
Andy Cole QFSM is the Chief Fire Officer of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, starting in the role on 1 January 2025.
Andy started his fire service career over 20 years ago as an on-call firefighter at Castle Cary fire station in Devon and Somerset FRS. In 2008 he joined Dorset FRS as a wholetime firefighter, continuing his on-call duties alongside his role in Dorset.
The Chief Fire Officer is the Head of Paid Service responsible for operational leadership of the Fire and Rescue Service; and is also the Fire and Rescue Authority’s professional adviser on all matters which are not the responsibility of either the Treasurer, the Clerk or the Monitoring Officer.
T: 01722 691000
[email protected]
Darren Langdown
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Response)
Darren Langdown began his fire service career in 1997 as an on-call firefighter at Blandford fire station. In 1999, he joined Avon Fire and Rescue Service as a wholetime firefighter, serving at Bath fire station before moving to Temple fire station in Bristol. He later returned to Bath as a Leading Firefighter.
In 2006, Darren transferred to Dorset FRS as a Crew Manager, where he served at Weymouth, Springbourne, and Westbourne fire stations. After successful promotions through the ranks, he became ACFO for Response in April 2025.
Responsible for Area Commands, Service Control Centre, resourcing, on-call development, collaboration and operational communications.
Darren is FirePride network champion.
Dave Waters
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Safety and Compliance)
Dave was promoted to the role of ACFO designate in April 2025 and took up the role substantively in September 2025. Dave’s fire service career began in Hertfordshire in 2000. He then joined London Fire Brigade in 2006 as a firefighter working at the busiest fire station in the UK, SoHo. Whilst in London, Dave also served at Kentish Town and Kensington fire stations. He remained with London until 2019, when he joined Dorset & Wiltshire as Watch Manager at Ferndown fire station.
Dave has worked his way up through the organisation working in Fire Safety and Learning & Development teams. He is a proud White Ribbon Ambassador, participating in their 2025 #WeSpeakUp national campaign.
When not at home with his wife, three children and dogs, Dave coaches and participate in combat sports.
Dave is the Minority Ethnicity (ME) network champion.
Responsible for Compliance and Investigation, Health & Safety, Prevention, Protection and Safeguarding.
Jenny Long
Assistant Chief Officer - Director of People Services
Jenny has worked for the fire service for over 30 years and has been Director of People Services since 2016.
Strategic lead for Operational Training, Learning & Development, Human Resources and Equality Diversity and Inclusion.
Jenny is the Woman’s network champion.
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T: 01722 691070
[email protected]
Jill McCrae
Assistant Chief Officer - Director of Service Support
Jill became Director of Service Support in 2022. She is responsible for Assets, Procurement, Service Improvement, Resilience & Risk and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat.
Jill is the Neurodiversity network champion.
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T: 01722 691073
[email protected]
Ryan Maslen
Assistant Chief Officer – Director of Financial Services and Treasurer the Fire & Rescue Authority
Ryan joined the Service in 2023 and is responsible for The Fire Authority’s financial affairs and Procurement. He is also Section 151 Officer and Treasurer to the Fire and Rescue Authority.
Ryan is the Men’s Support network champion.
T: 07500 669442
[email protected]
Vikki Shearing
Assistant Chief Officer - Director of Corporate Support and Clerk to the Fire & Rescue Authority
Vikki is responsible for Information Governance, Corporate Data and Analytics, Corporate Communications and Engagement, ICT, Executive Support, Democratic Services and Digital Transformation. She is also Clerk to the Fire and Rescue Authority.
Vikki is the Women’s Support network (Corporate/ Control) champion.
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T: 01722 691082
[email protected]
