Paul Murphy is Area Manager, heading up the National Resilience Assurance Team on behalf of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
He joined MFRS in January 1995 and has served at a number of community fire stations.
In 2007, Paul was promoted to Station Manager. He has served in a number of departments such as Operational Planning, Operational Performance, Operational Equipment, New Dimensions, Liverpool stations and Prevention & Protection.
From October 2011, Paul served as a Group Manager leading the Wirral district for four years before changing role to become the organisation's health and safety manager.
In January 2017, Paul was promoted to Area Manager for Strategic Change & Resources and was directly responsible for Estates, ICT, PFI and Blue Light Collaboration ensuring that the Authority was prepared to deliver against its aims and objectives. He delivered on strategic projects designed to bring about the change required to allow the Service to adapt to the ever-changing demands placed upon it.
From June 2018 until January 2021, Paul was Area Manager for Operational Preparedness and was responsible for a number of departments that provide operational firefighters and senior officers with training, information, procedures and equipment to ensure they can safely and effectively resolve all emergency incidents.
In his current role, Paul sits on the National Resilience Board and the urban search and rescue working and user groups. He is also on the national advisor registers for urban search and rescue and flood response.
As part of this role, Paul has played a pivotal part in leading the coordination of numerous equipment convoys to Ukraine.
In April 2024, MFRS led the largest UK fire and rescue service convoy that saw volunteers from MFRS join 15 Fire and Rescue Services from England and Wales to coordinate the delivery of 30 fire and rescue vehicles, two mechanics vehicles, and an HGV carrying over 2,800 items of surplus equipment.
Among the 30 fire and rescue vehicles were 20 fire engines, eight incident command units, one aerial ladder platform, and one 4x4 vehicle. This, and all of the convoys prior, would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of Paul.
Paul was included in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List, receiving an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his services to the Citizens of Ukraine.