Members of Leicestershire's fire authority have elected a new chairman.
Leicester city councillor Steve Corrall has taken over the role from county councillor Peter Roffey.
Lt Col Roffey stepped down after retiring from County Hall before last month's elections. He had been chairman for 12 years.
Coun Corrall has become the first Labour chairman of the authority but stressed he would be trying to keep the politics out of running the fire service, as his predecessor had.
Coun Corrall said: "I am delighted to have been elected chairman, after a period of nine years as a member of the combined fire suthority.
"Peter Roffey did an excellent job and he will be a very hard act to follow.
"I know we will have difficult times ahead in this period of stringent financial cuts but I will work hard with my colleagues and officers to ensure the citizens of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland continue to get the best service we can give them, at the lowest possible cost.
"At the moment Leicestershire is one of the most efficient fire services in the country and the second lowest precepting.
"For a band D property it costs about a a quid a week and that is tremendous value.
Chief fire officer Dave Webb said: "We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the fire authority in delivering the most efficient and service possible."
The new fire has seven Conservative members, seven Labour members and three Liberal Democrat members.
Tory county councillor Christine Radford has been elected vice-chairman.
Liberal Democrat county councillor Stuart Bray has been appointed chairman of the authority's overview and scrutiny committee.
