Essex firefighters’ farewell after 60 years service
AFTER a combined 60 years spent fighting fires and serving the community, three of Saffron Walden’s longest-serving firefighters have called it a day.
AFTER a combined 60 years spent fighting fires and serving the community, three of Saffron Walden’s longest-serving firefighters have called it a day.
Leading firefighter Ian Webber, sub officer Jason Thomson and firefighter Gary Morgan have committed 25, 20 and 15 years respectively to Saffron Walden Fire Station.
They were honoured for that dedication and support at a low-key presentation ceremony held at the Hill Street facility on Thursday, when they were presented with gifts on behalf of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and town council by deputy mayor Cliff Treadwell.
Station officer Paul Curtis praised their achievements and dedication.
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“Saffron Walden and the wider community owe a big thank you to them,” he said. “Their commitment has been second to none, particularly considering they have full time jobs and families to keep happy. It is the family which bears the brunt when these guys get called out at all hours, often disrupting a social occasion.”
Their retirement has opened up vacancies at the station for retained firefighters.
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“We appreciate the guys’ decision to retire – their experience will be missed by everybody here. Hopefully with some new faces we can turn that around,” added Mr Curtis.
“Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is fully supportive of our situation and have been working hard to assist us locally by providing flyers, posters and administration support.”
Anybody interesting in becoming a retained firefighter can pop along to the station on a Thursday training evening between 7-9pm and talk to Mr Curtis or another senior officer about what is involved.
