Firefighters pause in tribute after chief's death

Tributes have been paid following the death of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service chief officer Rob Taylor.

Hundreds of firefighters and other service staff paused to remember him at fire stations across the county with a minute of silence on Friday.

Mr Taylor, who joined the organisation in 2008 after moving from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, died on Wednesday after a "sudden and short" illness.

Colleagues said he would be "deeply missed but never forgotten."

Mr Taylor began his career in Derbyshire as a firefighter at Buxton Fire Station and rose through the ranks to become deputy chief fire officer in 2021.

He then took over the top role in the service in February this year, when he also became its chief executive.

Mr Taylor took over the position from former chief fire officer Gavin Tomlinson, who had stepped back from the role due to a health condition.

Last month the fire service confirmed Mr Tomlinson had died.

The service said it was offering support to all of its employees and Mr Taylor's family.

Other organisations that worked with Mr Taylor have also joined the tributes.

In a statement Derby City Council leader Nadine Peat and strategic director Sam Dennis said: "Rob was a dedicated and respected leader who served the people of Derbyshire with distinction."

They praised him for his work in the city, particularly for the part he played when Derby Assembly Rooms was badly damaged in a blaze in 2014.

An online book of condolence has been set up for Mr Taylor.

As an interim measure, Derbyshire's Fire and Rescue Authority has appointed deputy chief fire officer Mick Sharman as acting chief fire officer, with area manager Clive Stanbrook continuing as acting deputy chief fire officer.

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