Steve McGuirk

County Fire Officer

Steve joined the Greater Manchester [GMC] Fire Service as a junior firefighter in 1976; subsequently he then served in both Royal Berkshire and West Midlands.

He moved to the West Midlands in 1989 and served around Birmingham and in Headquarters until he was appointed Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service in 1998, and appointed Chief Fire Officer in 1999. 

Steve has undertaken higher education whilst in the Fire Service and now holds a Masters Degree in Management, an Honours Degree in Political and Social Science, and a BSc in Fire Safety, Technology and Management.  He Attended the Civil Service “Top Managers” Programme in 2002.  He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). He is a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers for many years and served on the International Council In the 1990’s.

He has been a Board member of the Chief Fire Officers Association [CFOA] for over seven years leading for the Association on HR and Equality matters.  He was President of CFOA from 2007-08 and now leads on European matters.  He is also the Principal Advisor on Fire and Rescue matters to the Local Government Association. 

Steve has undertaken a unique assignment in Fire and Rescue terms when, for over nine months in 2004, he was both ‘interim’ Chief Fire Officer of South Yorkshire, as well as Chief Fire Officer of Cheshire.

He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1996, the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2002, and the CBE in 2005 for his work in South Yorkshire.

Steve has now returned to the Fire Service where he started his career, in Greater Manchester, as County Fire Officer and Chief Executive.

Comment from Steve;

I started my career at Greater Manchester at the age of 16 so I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to be returning as County Fire Officer and Chief Executive.

Steve is married with two daughters.