After leading Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) over the last seven years and to an unprecedented three Outstanding Inspection ratings Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Phil Garrigan OBE KFSM will end his 35-year association with the Service to take up a prestigious national leadership role as Chair of the National Fire Chief’s.

With an election process open to all serving UK Chief Fire Officers and those who had served as a Chief Fire Officer within the last two years, Merseyside Chief Garrigan was ultimately elected to the prominent role as the Chair of the Chiefs in October after a vote by all eligible NFCC members. The current Chair, Mark Hardingham will stand down in March 2025 when his four-year term of office ends.

Phil, who now lives in Wirral having grown up in Maghull, joined Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service in 1990 - working in some of Merseyside’s most vulnerable and deprived communities.  With this, he brought a strong community focus to the Service, recognising the unique position of trust and respect in which the Fire & Rescue Service is held. He has used this standing in the community alongside the professionalism of Merseyside FRS staff to tackle the real underlying factors which affect risk in Merseyside’s communities. His vision, drive and ambition has seen Merseyside achieve the lowest ever number of fire deaths on record.

After taking on the role of Chief Fire Officer in 2017 he bucked the trend of cuts to the Fire & Rescue Services nationally and found innovative ways to recruit new firefighters and increase the number of fire engines available, ensuring the continued safety of the people of Merseyside.

As a result, Merseyside have more firefighters, more fire engines and is quicker to respond than at the beginning of his tenure – he also brought fire deaths down to the lowest ever recorded.

In his national capacity, he provides strategic advice to Government; he and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service coordinate the deployment of national fire and rescue service resources to large-scale incidents across the UK.  As a result, he has overseen a number of national incidents in recent years, including leading the Fire & Rescue Services response to COVID-19 as the National Fire Gold Commander. His innovative and effective management of resources ensured Fire & Rescue Services across the UK found the support they needed during this challenging time.

Working with the Home Office, unions and partner agencies, Phil’s drive and determination led to national agreements enabling firefighters to drive ambulances, deliver Personal Protective Equipment to NHS and care staff and deliver prescriptions and food to vulnerable people, producing a lasting legacy for the future of Fire & Rescue Services and communities across the country.

More recently Phil has overseen the development and build of a new state-of the art Training and Development Academy, National Resilience Centre of Excellence and 4-bay operational fire station in Aintree, ensuring Merseyside’s firefighters will have the knowledge and skills to face the challenges of a modern fire and rescue service for generations to come. 

Phil was also at the helm at the time of the tragic incidents in Southport and the disturbances that followed, providing strong and reassuring leadership to staff and community at the most difficult of times.  

Phil also led the Service through three inspections by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in which the Service achieved three ’Outstanding’ ratings; the only Fire & Rescue Service in the country to do so. These, amongst other factors, led to the Service receiving the highest civic honour; the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2022.      

Chair of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr. Les Byrom CBE said: “Chief Garrigan has provided dynamic and innovative leadership through multiple unprecedented challenges and leaves the Service in a superb position. His career has been exemplary, and he serves as an example to us all of how a positive mindset, perseverance and teamwork can lead to incredible outcomes for the Service and our community. He will be much missed in Merseyside, but our loss is the NFCC’s gain as he will now apply those leadership skills on a national level. Our thanks go out to him for his service to Merseyside.”

Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said: “It has been my greatest honour to serve my community. I have loved every minute of it. The Service has dealt with some significant incidents during my stewardship, the iconic image of my crews helping with the repair of the mosque only hours after the civil disorder - captures in one precious moment the very best of us.

As does the assertive manner in which we protected the Spellow Lane Hub at the height of the disorder – preventing it becoming a totem of hate. And that's because Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service sits in the heart of its communities, embracing its diversity and multi culturalism.

And I know how fortunate I am to work with people who understand the need to stand shoulder to shoulder with its communities at a time of crisis.

But being the best operationally isn’t the only thing that defines us – as all too often others underestimate the work we do in our communities.

The power of a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, or the smallest act of caring can have unimaginable impact.

Our people are what turns our Service from Good to Great.

Every day I see it.

MFRS is no ordinary Fire and Rescue Service – underestimate it at your peril.

I know the service will go from strength to strength and I will continue to support our communities in my new national role - a part of me will forever be in Merseyside.”

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service provides smoke alarms free of charge to those over 65 or meeting certain criteria. To find out if you are eligible or for free fire safety advice, please call 0800 731 5958.