Profile

Currently Assistant Chief Fire Officer in Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS), Paula's journey into firefighting began with a strong desire to serve, starting in the sector as a volunteer with the Red Cross Fire Victim Support. In 2001, Paula became a wholetime firefighter with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS), where she also worked as an on-call firefighter before later moving to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS). 

Paula has worked in a number of station-based roles, and also within Risk, Policy, and Operational Assurance, as HMICFRS Service Liaison Officer, Borough Manager of Manchester, and led Service Delivery (North) and Service Delivery Support. Paula is passionate about firefighter safety, and mental health and wellbeing with a focus on suicidology. She has a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Thanatology which centred on the UK Fire and Rescue Service, has previously been a volunteer and Leadership Board member for an emotional support charity, and is co-chair of the NFCC Health, Safety and Welfare Suicide Prevention working group.