Strategic Leadership Team

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.

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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.

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.

Jenny has worked for the fire service for over 30 years and has been Director of People Services since 2016. Jenny commenced her fire service career in Devon Fire and Rescue Service in 1993 (prior to its combination with Somerset). In 2005, she undertook a South West Regional HR role, before moving to Dorset Fire & Rescue Service in 2008 as Head of People Services.

Following combination in 2016 Jenny was appointed to Director of People Services. Jenny attained her CIPD Chartered Fellow in 2007 and is passionate about leadership, culture and inclusion which motivated her to complete a Masters in Leadership & Development. Away from work, Jenny enjoys cold water swimming and spending time with friends and family.

As Director of Corporate Services since 2025, Vikki brings more than 20 years of experience within the fire and rescue sector across a broad range of corporate governance and strategic leadership functions, including Information Governance, Data and Analytics, Corporate Communications and Engagement, ICT, and Democratic Services.

Vikki is motivated by improving outcomes for both staff and communities. She has played a key role in driving technological innovation to support more efficient and effective ways of working, alongside leading strategic organisational culture change initiatives.

With particular expertise in information governance, information security, and the effective use of data to support informed decision-making, she is committed to strengthening governance, accountability, and organisational performance. As Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO), she provides strategic oversight of information risk, assurance, and compliance across the organisation.

In 2022, Vikki completed the Executive Leadership Programme with distinction, further strengthening her strategic leadership capability.

Alongside her director responsibilities, she is Clerk to the Fire & Rescue Authority, ensuring robust democratic governance and the effective management of high-profile and sensitive Authority matters.