Tributes to West Midlands Fire chief discovered useless after investigation
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Leading firefighters from throughout the nation have paid tribute to a West Midlands hearth chief discovered useless after an investigation was launched into claims he had lied on his CV about about having a masters diploma and taking part in for Charlton Athletic.
Wayne Brown, who was employed as chief of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority final yr, was accused of mendacity about his {qualifications} and taking part in for Charlton Athletic when making use of for the £180,000-a-year job.
The firefighter, who was a part of the London Fire Brigade for 27 years till switching to the West Midlands service in 2019, had impressed superiors together with his Master of Business Administration diploma from London South Bank University.
But an investigation was launched after his alleged alma mater mentioned it had no file of his diploma, with the fireplace chief eradicating them from his LinkedIn account shortly afterwards.
Fire companies from throughout the UK rushed to pay tribute as condolences poured in from forces in Gloucestershire, Durham and Darlington, Berkshire, Leicestershire, Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear, Avon, Cleveland, London, Cumbria, and HM Chief Inspector of Fire & Rescue Services is Andy Cooke.
Wayne Brown, chief hearth officer at West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, was discovered useless at his house on Wednesday morning
Fellow emergency companies within the West Midlands have been additionally fast to talk about their late colleague.
West Midland Ambulance Service mentioned: ‘We are very unhappy to listen to of the passing of Wayne Brown.
‘Mr Brown was nicely regarded by everybody who had the pleasure of assembly and dealing with him. Our deepest condolences go to his household and colleagues at West Midlands Fire.’
And Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye added: ‘Hearing of this final evening, and I used to be completely devastated and shocked.
‘My ideas are with Chief Officer Wayne Brown’s family members, associates and colleagues. RIP Chief.’
The officer’s former colleagues additionally paid tribute to him, as London Fire Brigade learnt of the information.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe mentioned: ‘I’m deeply sorry to listen to of the passing of Wayne Brown.
‘Wayne was a valued and revered colleague within the Brigade for over 20 years earlier than becoming a member of West Midlands FRS.
Mr Brown pictured profitable ‘Most Influential BAME Individual in Fire’ on the Excellence in Fire & Emergency Services in 2021
‘Our ideas exit to Wayne’s household and associates at this troublesome time.’
The pressure’s soccer membership additionally posted a poignant message, saying: ‘We are devastated to announce that our former participant and supervisor, Wayne Brown, was this morning discovered useless at his house.
‘Our ideas are together with his household, associates and colleagues.’
This was echoed by the England Fire Service Football Section, who took to social media, who additionally mentioned their ‘ideas and love’ have been with those who knew him.
They mentioned: ‘We are devastated to announce that our Chairman Wayne Brown was this morning discovered useless at his house.’
And outdoors the pressure, social commentator and Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon paid tribute to Mr Brown, who he mentioned was on the board of Birmingham and Solihull’s Integrated Care System alongside him.
He added: ‘Absolutely shocked to seek out out in regards to the demise of Wayne Brown.
‘He was lively member of BSoI ICS board and captivated with bettering the well being and wellbeing of residents within the West Midlands.
Wayne Brown pictured together with his spouse, Lisa, in full uniform in 2018. The couple have a son collectively
The couple could be seen in matching sun shades whereas on vacation, left, and Lisa alone, proper
Wayne Brown on the centre of a bunch as they rejoice being voted the UK’s most Inclusive Fire Service and essentially the most inclusive employer
‘Condolences to his household and colleagues within the Fire Service.’
In a press release issued on Wednesday night, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority confirmed Mr Brown had been discovered useless at his house this morning.
Greg Brackenridge, chairman of the service, mentioned: ‘We are devastated to report that our chief hearth officer, Wayne Brown, was this morning discovered useless at his house tackle.
‘The demise will not be being handled as suspicious by West Midlands Police.
‘All our ideas and love are together with his household, his associates and his colleagues.
‘We ask everybody that his household and his colleagues are given time and area at this tragic time.’
In a press release West Midlands Police mentioned it was not treating Mr Brown’s demise as suspicious.
‘We can affirm that we attended an tackle in Birmingham this morning the place the physique of a person in his 50s was sadly discovered,’ the pressure mentioned.
Wayne Brown on the centre of a groupof hearth officers going to Turkey as a part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team
Wayne Brown as he was introduced with a framed shirt and cash on behalf of West Midlands Fire Service following his officers’ deployments to Turkey and Malawi
‘The demise will not be being handled as suspicious and we’re liaising with the native coroner.
‘A proper identification will happen in the end.
‘The man’s household is being supported by specialist officers and our ideas are with them right now.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service posted on X: ‘We are very unhappy to listen to of the passing of Wayne Brown. Mr Brown was nicely regarded by everybody who had the pleasure of assembly and dealing with him. Our deepest condolences go to his household and colleagues at @WestMidsFire.’
Labour peer Baroness Twycross, London’s deputy mayor for hearth and resilience, posted: ‘Absolutely devastating information – @WestMidsFire Chief Fire Officer, Wayne Brown, was vastly revered throughout the sector and far liked by his colleagues, together with those that knew him from his a few years’ service at @LondonFire.’
Separately, Mr Brown was concerned in a court docket case through which a person was charged with harassment in opposition to him, the BBC reported.
Mr Brown had been below investigation by the fireplace service after claims he had mislead his employers about his {qualifications}.
In addition to queries about his tutorial achievements, considerations have been raised by colleagues who mentioned Brown claimed to have been a former skilled footballer for Charlton Athletic.
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority introduced Mr Brown’s demise on Wednesday night
Mr Brown had claimed he performed for Charlton Athletic, however it was later revealed he solely performed as a part of the youth coaching scheme. Pictured: The soccer membership’s stadium, The Valley
It has since been revealed that he solely performed as a part of the youth coaching scheme on the membership and never within the professional division.
An insider instructed the Sun that Mr Brown was a ‘distinguished’ determine who often toured hearth stations, however had not been heard from since January 7 amid discontent within the pressure.
Mr Brown was a part of the London Fire Brigade for 27 years till he switched to the West Midlands service in 2019, the place he was Deputy Chief Fire Officer earlier than his promotion final January.
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority beforehand mentioned Mr Brown ‘has attended among the UK’s most vital operational incidents, together with London terrorist assaults and the devastating Grenfell Tower hearth’ and is ‘an ex-professional footballer with Uefa teaching {qualifications}’.
But on Tuesday it was mentioned trying into the allegations that he lied about having a masters diploma in a proper inquiry – whether it is discovered that Brown lied about his qualification, this might quantity to fraud by false illustration.
In a press release launched yesterday, West Midlands Fire Service mentioned: ‘We are conscious of claims referencing our Chief Fire Officer and West Midlands Fire Service.
‘Formal enquiries and processes, in keeping with our Fire Authority’s structure, at the moment are ongoing in relation to the issues raised. We will undertake this totally and pretty. In the meantime, we is not going to be commenting additional.’
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