GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S chief fire officer will retire on Wednesday, March 31.

Terry Standing, also group director of community safety, was appointed to the role in January 2006.

He began his career as a sub officer with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1979 before being promoted to station officer in 1989 and being transferred to Mid Glamorgan Fire Service.

In 1992, he was seconded to Moreton’s Fire Service College as divisional officer serving as course director teaching management and specialising in training the trainers.

He transferred to Shropshire as brigade training officer in 1995, before commanding the Performance Management Department responsible for risk management, personal development, performance measurement and audit.

After moving to Hertfordshire, where he rose to the rank of assistant chief fire officer, he joined Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in November 2001 as deputy chief fire officer.

Having completed a masters degree in business administration in 1996, he published papers on his work into effective management of learning groups.

He holds a teaching certificate and is an approved test administrator with the British Psychological Society.

As chief fire officer, he oversaw the response to July 2007’s floods, for which he received the Queen's Fire Service Medal in 2008.

Last year, he introduced Forward to Basics, a new strategy for the service.

He has also instigated a project that will provide four new fire stations and a new Life Skills Centre.

He said: “I have enjoyed an exceptionally rewarding career, particularly my time here in Gloucestershire with the fire and rescue service and in my wider role as a group director.”