The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith this evening announced that long time Fire and Rescue Services’ ambassador Theo Layne has passed away.

Layne was often the first port of call for many journalists looking for comment on fires in and around the City.

Below is the statement from Alderman Smith:

It is with great sadness that we must report that former Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Theo Layne has passed this morning. An exceptional firefighter and great man. RIP.

Theo Layne joined the Fire Service in 1987. He was the first Media Liason Officer and was stationed at Goodwood Fire Station.

He was stationed at various Fire Stations throughout his career which spanned over 30 years.

He was a Station Commander until he was medically boarded in May of 2019.

Mr. Theo Layne leaves behind his wife and two sons.

He was the pioneer in the Quality Assurance section of the Command and Control Centre.

He joined the command and control center in 2006 and became media liaison in 2009 until he was medically boarded in 2019.