Deputy Commissioner Charlie Pugsley took his final roll call at england/england/dowgate/”>dowgate/”>Dowgate Fire Station at the weekend, marking an end to a stellar 30-year career with the London Fire Brigade.

From Bow to Grenfell: A Career of Bravery and Impact

Charlie Beganbegan his journey with the Brigade in February 1996, working across fire stations in Bow, Shoreditch, Stratford, and Peckham. He later joined the Fire Investigation team at New Cross and Dowgate, becoming a key figure in probing London’s most serious fires.

Most notably, Charlie served as the on-site forensic fire investigation lead following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, playing a crucial role in untangling the fire’s deadly cause.

Trailblazing Fire Safety Campaigner

Since 2005, Charlie has driven major reforms in fire safety, influencing policy not just locally but nationally and across the globe. Lately, he’s led the #ChargeSafe campaign tackling the fire dangers of lithium batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.

As the National Fire Chiefs Council’s lead officer for Electrical Safety and Fire Investigation, his lifesaving work has protected countless homes across the UK.

Charlie’s Farewell and Next Chapter

“Time and again, I’ve witnessed staff bravery, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to Keepingkeeping communities safe,” Charlie reflected. “Being part of the London Fire Brigade family for nearly 30 years has been a privilege… Serving the emergency services for London, it truly is the best job in the world. You finish a shift knowing you’ve made a difference and helped people. That’s the very best in job satisfaction.”

Now retired from frontline service, Charlie is stepping into a new role as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Building Safety Regulator. The Brigade wishes him the best of luck and thanks him for his outstanding dedication to London’s safety. www.uknip.co.uk/where/united-kingdom/england/london