LANCASHIRE Fire Authority has made two appointments to its top team following recent retirements and promotions.

Justin Johnson, currently assistant chief fire officer with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, has been appointed Lancashire’s deputy chief fire officer. He has 18 years’ experience with the service in Cumbria and Essex Fire and Rescue Service, where he has been responsible for operations, community risk management, health and safety and control.

Lancashire area manager Dave Russel has been promoted to assistant chief fire officer. Mr Russel has served in various roles across Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and has been head of fire risk management since 2008.

He will take up his new role later this month.

Assistant chief fire officer Chris Kenny, who takes over as Lancashire’s Chief Fire Officer in October, said: “This was an extremely competitive selection process and the calibre of applicants high.

“Together with our existing directors, I believe we have a strong team in place that has wide ranging experience and is well equipped to place the service in the strongest possible position to face the difficult financial challenges that lie ahead”.