Principal Officers

Chief Fire Officer - Ceri Sumner

Ceri joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue as our first, non-operational Chief Fire Officer in September 2022. She has over 25 years experience spanning the private and public sector.

After graduating from Warwick Business School, Ceri initially worked as a management consultant with Arthur Andresen, before taking up roles for such firms as Centrica, developing customer service improvements, and British Airports Authority where she held a number of roles including Organisation Development, Passenger Insight Lead and Head of Customer Strategy.

In 2010, she joined Norfolk County Council as lead for Customer Services, and later Director for Community Information and Learning. Most recently, Ceri jointly led the Norfolk Covid support for clinically vulnerable people, self-isolation support and Norfolk’s local test and trace offer with Public Health. Just before joining the fire service, she took the county lead on Homes for Ukraine and Hardship.

Ceri’s experience will support Norfolk Fire and Rescue to continue to build on its strengths going forward.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer - Scott Norman

Scott joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service as a wholetime firefighter in 1999, initially serving at Great Yarmouth fire station. He has also undertaken on-call roles at both North Walsham and Mundesley.

Scott has held management roles within Eastern, Central and Western Districts. He has a passion for training and incident command having also worked in this function. He was been instrumental in developing improvements for on-call recruitment.

One of Scott’s most recent projects was leading the development of the service’s new cultural framework which has helped to drive a new approach and inclusive vision for all staff.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer - Richard Dromey

Richard joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service as an On-Call firefighter at Sheringham Fire Station in 1987 and then as a wholetime firefighter in 1993, initially serving at Great Yarmouth.

Throughout his career he has held management roles throughout the Service in all four Districts. He has had the opportunity to work in Prevention, Protection and Response however is quoted in saying that his first passion is always working with the great People of Norfolk.

He has also had the opportunity to work directly within Norfolk County Council early on in his career where he was seconded for two years whilst managing a fire safety project.

Richard has a passion for developing and supporting new managers in their roles and has a reputation for leading high performing teams throughout the service.

Richard is now a brigade manager with responsibility for Operational Response, National Resilience, Capability and Planning & Performance.