A new boss has been appointed to lead the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority .
Sunderland councillor Tony Taylor, who represents Washington East, was voted in as the organisation chairman at a meeting this week.
Coun Taylor, who has been a city councillor since 2014 and a member of the Fire Authority since last year, replaced the previous chairman Barry Curran.
Mr Curran was also previously a Labour Party member of Sunderland City Council , but lost his St Peter's ward seat to the Conservatives in May's local elections.
The fire authority is responsible for overseeing the work of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and is made up of 17 members:
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Four each from Sunderland City Council and Newcastle City Council
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Three each from Gateshead Council and North Tyneside Council
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Two from South Tyneside Council
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The Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria
