Ron Dobson

Ronald James Dobson, CBE, QFSM, FIFireE is a senior British firefighter. He was the Commissioner for Fire and Emergency Planning at the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which includes the role of Chief Fire Officer of the London Fire Brigade until 31 December 2016.

Dobson joined the London Fire Brigade in 1979 and rose through the ranks to be promoted Assistant Commissioner in 2000. In 2002, he became the principal officer responsible for delivering the Brigade's day-to-day operations.

On 1 October 2007, he was appointed Commissioner for Fire and Emergency Planning at the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, succeeding Sir Ken Knight. He is responsible for the world's third largest fire and rescue service with 112 fire stations and 7000 staff, 6000 of whom are operational firefighters. Until his promotion to commissioner, he was responsible for operational policy and training. He title is generally shortened to commissioner – he is the most senior officer of the LFEPA, but the role includes all the functions of a Chief Fire Officer or Brigade Manager in a local authority fire and rescue service.

Controversy

In November 2011, it was revealed that Dobson had retired from his £200,000-a-year post to access an estimated £700,000 lump sum from his pension fund. He was then immediately re-employed into his old position, albeit on lower pay. This occurred at a time when regular firefighters experienced a pay-freeze. The move was described by the Fire Brigades Union as 'deeply unethical'.

Dobson was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) in the 2005 New Year Honours. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.