HEREFORD and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has appointed a new chief fire officer.
Former assistant chief fire officer Mark Yates has been appointed to the rile following the retirement of Paul Hayden last month.
Mr Yates said his top priority is to make the area safer from fire and to ensure staff have the best training and equipment that can be provided.
He has more than 25 years experience and led operations at the Buncefield oil depot fire - one of the largest peacetime fires in history.
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