Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have appointed a new deputy assistant chief officer (DACO) to run their service throughout the west of the country.

Peter Heath has become the new head of service delivery and will be overseeing 127 fire stations while leading an expert team of SFRS senior officers.

DACO Heath has 24 years experience as both a frontline firefighter and in leadership posts.

Scotland's Deputy Chief Officer Alex Clark welcomed him to the role. He said: "This is a vital leadership post and it needs an officer with Peter's experience to take it on.

"The value of more than two decades of first-hand knowledge cannot be overstated - it equips Peter to build on the great work that has already been carried out.

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"His appointment shows our commitment to continually developing and improving the service we provide to people in every community and I'd like to extend my congratulations as he takes up his post."

In his new role, DACO Heath will be responsible for an area spanning 13 local authorities, stretching from the border at Gretna to north of Oban.

It includes Scotland’s largest city and some of the country’s most rural and remote communities.

DACO Heath said: "I am looking forward to leading the team as it continues driving forward the service throughout the West of Scotland.

"We are absolutely determined to keep improving outcomes for our communities and always provide the excellent fire and rescue service that the public deserve and expect.

"Partnerships are crucial to our success. We have strong relationships with our colleagues in the other emergency services, in local authorities and from other agencies, so we will continue to build powerful coalitions that can deliver real benefits to communities."

As a member of the UK's Chief Fire Officers Association and a qualified gold-level commander, Peter holds the emergency services' highest level of certification and is trained to take charge of major incidents.

He said: "I became a firefighter after working in forestry and construction and as my career developed I wanted to be involved across different parts of the service's work.

"Dedicated, skilled and highly experienced people make the service what it is and we have a culture of continuous improvement to better protect the public.

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"Individually we can all add a little and improve how we go about our roles - collectively that adds up to make a big difference."

"I'm looking forward to working with all the staff across the west to continually develop how we operate and ultimately better serve the public", he added.