THE FORMER chief fire officer for the Isle of Wight, Steve Apter, has been appointed the new deputy chief fire officer of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Apter, 52, left his post on the Island two years ago to take up a job with London Fire Brigade as its deputy commissioner.

While there, he was in command at incidents including the Westminster Bridge terror attack and the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster. He is the national lead for the fire service on counter terrorism.

He has previously been assistant chief fire officer of Hampshire and has also worked on secondment as deputy chief of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to support its transformation and leadership development as well as taking on a government role to work on reformed inspection processes.

He has also been chairman and a key supporter of United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) which helps drive up standards of technical rescue with national challenges and work overseas.

He said: “I am delighted to have been offered this role with a Service that is known for setting high standards across the industry.

“I am looking forward to working with the chief fire officer, the authority and all the officers and crews in our common aim of keeping the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safe.”

He joined the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IOWFRS) as an on-call firefighter in 1990 after getting a degree in business and gaining private sector experience in business development for a number of years.

He became a fulltime firefighter in 1991.

In 2011 he was appointed chief fire officer of IOWFRS. In 2014 it was named most improved service in the UK and in 2015 he led the way on a strategic partnership with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS). He is married with three children and lives on the Isle of Wight. His brother, John Apter, is the chairman of Hampshire Police Federation.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman Councillor Chris Carter said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve Apter as new deputy chief fire officer.

“His appointment comes after a rigorous selection process that included top performers from a variety of disciplines.

“We look forward to working closely with him as we move forward and encounter exciting opportunities as a service."

HFRS Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin said: “We are delighted to recruit a deputy chief fire officer of such a high calibre.

“His credentials and experience will be a huge asset to the service and the public.”

Isle of Wight Cabinet Member Tig Outlaw said: "I am delighted at the appointment of Steve Apter.

"He brings with him a combination of firefighting experience and local knowledge that can scarcely be matched."

Mr Apter will take up the role later this year ahead of current deputy chief fire officer Andy Bowers' retirement in June.