Whanganui has a new fire chief.
Gary Ward has just been announced as the area manager for the Whanganui Fire Service, replacing Bernie Rush who retired in 2016. Mr Ward has been acting area manager for the past nine months.
He's had a long and varied career in the fire service, which has seen him serve more than 30 years in both New Zealand and Britain.
"My career has given me the privilege of serving in a range of different roles including president of the New Zealand branch of the Institution of Fire Engineers, chief fire officer of Feilding Volunteer Fire Brigade, a volunteer at Waiatarua Volunteer Fire Brigade in Auckland and a retained firefighter in Romsey, Hampshire."
More recently Mr Ward has been the Whanganui assistant area manager, a role he's held since 2009.