Chair of the Fire Authority

Simon Coles became Chair of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority in June 2024.

After a successful career in industry, Simon was elected as a councillor at Taunton Deane Borough Council in 2005. At the council, which became Somerset West and Taunton Council in 2019, he served on the Planning Committee and spent three years as the portfolio holder for Planning and Transportation. He also held both the Deputy Group Leader and Group Leader positions.

He was elected to the county council, now Somerset Council, in 2013 and was appointed to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority the same year. During his time at the Authority, he has chaired both the Resources and Audit and Governance committees. At Somerset Council, he currently chairs both the Planning West Committee and the Pensions Committee.

“I consider it to be an honour and a privilege to have been elected to Chair Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority, working closely with our new Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Ellis, and our excellent Executive Board and Senior Leadership Team alongside the 25 members of the Fire Authority. It is my intention to make Devon and Somerset the very best equipped, trained and motivated fire and rescue service in the UK.”

Simon is 69 years old and has been married to Sarah for over 35 years. They have three adult children.

See more information about Councillor Simon Coles (https://fireauthority.dsfire.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=177) on the Fire Authority site.