One of Greater Manchester Fire Service's most senior officers has been sacked

One of Greater Manchester's most senior fire officers has been sacked. Assistant County Fire Officer, Dave Keelan, who earns £130,000 a year, was suspended by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service on November 22nd while an investigation took place following an "internal complaint".

A full disciplinary hearing took place this week heard by the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Ben Norman. Mr Keelan has the right to appeal and should he choose to do so that would be held in mid April before Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russell.

The decision to proceed to a full disciplinary hearing followed an investigation by a senior officer from the Tyne and Weir Fire Service who was commissioned by GMFRS to carry out an inquiry. In a statement today a Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "GMFRS can confirm that following an investigation and disciplinary hearing, a senior member of staff has been dismissed from the organisation with immediate effect. This decision is subject to a right of appeal and therefore it wouldn't be appropriate to comment further at this stage."

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Based at fire service HQ in Pendlebury, Mr Keelan was until recently responsible for Operations. This includes being in charge of fire engines, kit, and operational policy and procedure including the service's plans to deal with a terrorism attack, and multi-agency working at incident. His job is now called Director of Service Support but includes broadly the same responsibilities.

In December a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has suspended