Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas to retire after 29 years of service

From firefighter to Chief Fire Officer

Roger Thomas began his career with the Service in 1996, rising through the ranks from firefighter to the organisation’s most senior role. Over the years he has held a variety of operational and leadership posts, including a secondment to the Welsh Government in 2007/08, where he brought frontline experience into policy‑making.

He joined the Executive Leadership Team as Area Manager in 2014 and went on to serve in Brigade Manager roles from 2017, helping to guide the Service through a period of significant transformation.

Appointed Chief Fire Officer in April 2022, Roger has been praised for leading with “distinction, compassion and vision,” maintaining high operational standards while driving innovation, strengthening community engagement and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

National recognition

His contribution was formally recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, where he was awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM) for outstanding service.

Reflecting on his retirement, Roger said:

“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and our communities.”

Tributes from the Authority

Councillor John Davies, Chair of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, paid tribute to Roger’s leadership:

“Roger’s legacy is reflected not only in the policies he shaped and the incidents he led, but in the people he mentored, the teams he inspired and the trust he built across the organisation and beyond. He leaves behind a Service that is stronger, more agile and deeply connected to the communities it serves.”

Interim leadership

Following his retirement, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray will assume the statutory responsibilities of Head of Paid Service on an interim basis while the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Officer is carried out.

Mr Cray said:

“It is a privilege to take on this responsibility and I do so with a deep sense of commitment to our people, our communities and the values that define our Service. While this is a temporary arrangement, I want to reassure everyone that continuity, stability and progress will remain our priorities.”

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