Defence Fire Safety Regulator appoints new assistant chief fire officer
Iain Hoey
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Photo credit: Defence Safety Authority
Appointment announced at UK Defence Fire Safety Regulator
Alan Horberry has been named Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the Defence Fire Safety Regulator (DFSR), The Emergency Services Times has reported.
The regulator, part of the Defence Safety Authority, enforces fire legislation across the Ministry of Defence estate and oversees Defence firefighting capability.
According to the publication, Horberry took up the post in early 2025 after more than 30 years in UK and international fire and rescue services.
He succeeds into a senior leadership role that works alongside Defence Fire and Rescue Service colleagues and inspectorates across the UK.
Horberry said the assurance of Defence fire safety was of critical national importance and confirmed he looked forward to leading the team of Defence Fire Officers.
Fire service career in Scotland
The Emergency Services Times reported that Horberry began his career in 1988 with the Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade in Edinburgh.
He served at multiple city and rural fire stations across south-east Scotland.
In 2013 he transferred to the newly formed Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
His operational command experience included leading responses to major incidents across the region.
International experience in Australia
According to the publication, Horberry joined the New South Wales Rural Fire Service in 2020.
He managed a large geographical area of bush and outback communities.
The post included oversight of more than 6,000 rural firefighters.
He gained extensive experience in large-scale wildfire management and multi-agency coordination.
The Emergency Services Times noted that this role developed his expertise in rural operations and resilience planning.
Work in the Falkland Islands
Horberry later became Director of Emergency Services and Island Security in the Falkland Islands, the publication said.
He introduced resilience planning tailored for the islands’ conditions.
He also established a multi-agency incident command system based on JESIP principles.
The system was designed to improve coordination between emergency response partners.
His leadership focused on aligning operations with UK standards while adapting to local needs.
Defence role in 2025
In 2025, Horberry joined the Defence Fire Safety Regulator as Assistant Chief Fire Officer.
According to The Emergency Services Times, the regulator provides assurance that Defence has safe and effective firefighting across the globe.
The body enforces UK fire legislation as applied to the Ministry of Defence estate.
Its responsibilities are aligned with fire inspectorates across the UK.
Horberry said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to this pivotal role within Defence.
“The assurance of Defence fire, in all its facets, is of critical national importance.
“I’m proud to lead the team of experienced Defence Fire Officers to ensure that we meet the challenges of today and those new ones presented to us by Defence Reform and the Strategic Defence Review.”
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The appointment highlights how UK Defence structures integrate leadership with global experience from civilian and international fire services.
It shows how operational command skills from rural, urban and island environments are being applied to national Defence fire assurance.
For professionals, this provides insight into the standards and approaches being aligned across Defence and UK inspectorates.
It also signals how leadership experience gained internationally is valued within Defence Fire and Rescue structures.
Defence Fire Safety Regulator appoints new assistant chief fire officer: Summary
Alan Horberry has been appointed Assistant Chief Fire Officer at the Defence Fire Safety Regulator.
The appointment was reported by The Emergency Services Times.
The regulator enforces fire legislation across the Ministry of Defence estate.
It also assures Defence firefighting capability globally.
Horberry began his career in 1988 with the Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade.
He later served with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
In 2020, he joined the New South Wales Rural Fire Service in Australia.
He managed a large region with more than 6,000 rural firefighters.
He then became Director of Emergency Services and Island Security in the Falkland Islands.
He introduced resilience planning and a JESIP-based command system.
Horberry took up his new role at DFSR in early 2025.
He said he was proud to lead the team of Defence Fire Officers.
He added that Defence fire assurance was of critical national importance.
DFSR responsibilities are aligned with UK fire inspectorates.