Alex Clark, Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the fire service.
The award recognises his contribution to the strategic leadership of the SFRS since taking up his role in April 2013 and his personal commitment and contribution to the fire reform programme whilst at the same time fulfilling his responsibilities to his previous service, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service (LBFRS).
Alex joined the fire and rescue service at the age of 18 and spent 26 years in LBFRS rising to the rank of Chief Fire Officer before his appointment as Deputy Chief Officer of the SFRS. His first posting was to the busy city station of Sighthill in Edinburgh as a firefighter on the Green Watch where he remained for seven years.
Within the first five years of joining LBFRS, Alex had completed all his statutory fire service exams and was promoted to leading firefighter at McDonald Road before moving to Newcraighall, as a Sub Officer. He spent three years there before moving on to the Training Function and then the Community Safety Function focussing on legislative fire safety in business and commercial premises.
A number of promotions followed: Assistant Divisional Officer; Senior Divisional Officer and Head of Operations; Head of Personnel and as Assistant Chief Officer he became Director of Personnel, then as Deputy Chief Officer, Director of Service Delivery.
He was announced as Acting Chief Fire Officer of LBFRS at the age of 43 and led the Service until his appointment as Deputy Chief Fire Officer for the SFRS.
During his career, Alex has completed many specialist courses at the Fire Service College in Moreton in Marsh and the Scottish Fire Service College in Gullane. He holds an Honours Degree in Fire Engineering, an Executive Diploma in Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA).
Alex, who is 45 and married with two grown up children, was born in Edinburgh and was raised in Elphinstone, East Lothian before moving to West Lothian to attend Meldrum Primary School followed by Deans Community High School.
Since taking on the role of Deputy Chief Officer of the SFRS, Alex has continued to effectively lead the work of reform. He is the senior responsible owner for the service transformation programme at the same time overseeing the day to day delivery of the service.
Commenting on the award Alex said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been nominated and receive this prestigious award.
“It has been a pleasure to serve the communities of Lothian and Borders and I consider it a privilege to continue to serve the communities across Scotland in my role of Deputy Chief Officer with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.”
Alasdair Hay, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “I am very pleased that Alex’s outstanding contribution to the fire and rescue service has been recognised by the award of the Queen’s Fire Service Medal. As Deputy Chief Officer, he is utterly committed to serving the communities of Scotland and I am fortunate to have such a dedicated officer as my deputy and part of my Strategic Leadership team.”
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