Dave Leach

Dave started his career with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service in April 1997 where he served as an operational firefighter based at Buxton Fire Station.

In September 1998, Dave joined TWFRS as an Inter Service Transfer and was initially based at Pilgrim Street Fire Station as an operational firefighter, in 2006 progressing to Crew Manager and then Watch Manager, Dave served across a number of Community Fire Stations including, Wallsend, Newcastle Central, West Denton and Gosforth.

On being promoted to Temporary Station Manager at Byker Community Fire Station Dave played a key role in supporting and enhancing Tyne and Wear’s only water-based response station. He was instrumental in introducing SFRBOI’s into the Service.

As a Group Manager, Dave has served in a number of roles including District Manager for Newcastle and Head of Service Delivery West where his focus was on managing service delivery performance, building partner relationships within local Community Safety Boards in Newcastle and Gateshead promoting community safety and firefighter safety. As Head of Operational Standards, he dealt with all areas of staffing including, diversification of the workforce, promotions and recruitment and the Service lead on NFCC On-Call practitioners Group.

Dave is currently Area Manager for Service Delivery ensuring they have the right people, with the right skills, at the right place, at the right time based on risk and demand to provide the fastest and most effective operational response to the community of Tyne and Wear.

Prior to joining the Service, Dave served 4 years with HM Forces, Corps of Royal Engineers and 1 year working in Debt Collection for the Department of Social Security.