Board agrees retirement of Tayside Fire and Rescue chief Stephen Hunter

Tayside’s chief fire officer Stephen Hunter is to retire, just months before the creation of a Scotland-wide fire service.

His decision after 33 years’ service was ratified by the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board and has been approved to help achieve budget cuts for next year, as well as being part of the transition to a single service.

Mr Hunter will be replaced on an interim basis by his deputy Alasdair Hay, while assistant chief fire officer David Boyle will step up to become the acting deputy chief fire officer.

Councillor Bob Band, convener of Tayside Fire and Rescue Board, said: ”As well as delivering efficiencies, the move will assist the smooth transition to a single national fire and rescue service in April 2013, as fewer senior officers will be required in the new structure.”

Mr Hunter said: ”It has been a privilege to serve the communities of Tayside as a member of Tayside Fire and Rescue for the last 33 years and an honour to serve as chief fire officer for 11 of those. I have had the good fortune to work with an excellent team of dedicated, enthusiastic people.”