Paul Lake brings more than 40 years of aviation firefighting and rescue experience to Blackpool Airport fire service
Blackpool Airport fire service has appointed Paul Lake as Senior Airport Fire Officer. Bringing more than 40 years of aviation firefighting and rescue experience, he joins the airport as it continues to support its long-term growth and operational resilience.
Blackpool Airport has appointed Paul Lake as its new Senior Airport Fire Officer (SAFO), bringing more than four decades of aviation fire and rescue experience gained across military, civilian and international airport operations.
Lake will lead the airport’s fire service, drawing on a career that has spanned operational leadership, firefighter training and international airport fire management in the UK and overseas.
He began his aviation firefighting career at Farnborough Airport before going on to hold senior operational and training roles at Boscombe Down, RAF Leeming, the International Fire Training Centre (IFTC) in Teesside, where he trained aviation firefighters from around the world, the International College of Engineering & Management in Oman and Falck Fire.
Most recently, he served as Chief Fire Officer at King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest airport by land area, leading a team of 150 firefighters across four fire stations.
Returning to the UK to join Blackpool Airport, Lake said: “After 40 years in the fire service I still love my job and I’m delighted to be back in the UK to take up the position of SAFO at Blackpool Airport.
“It’s an exciting time to join the airport and play a part in its growth masterplan. The team here is fantastic and it was great to see a few familiar faces from my time as an instructor in Teesside.”
Steve Peters, Airport Director, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Paul to Blackpool Airport. His wealth of experience, leadership credentials and international expertise make him an outstanding addition to our team.
“As the airport continues to develop and grow, Paul’s knowledge and commitment will be invaluable in ensuring the highest standards of safety and resilience.”
The appointment reinforces Blackpool Airport’s commitment to maintaining high operational standards while supporting its future growth and development plans.