FOUR long-serving on-call Crediton firefighters were honoured at a presentation ceremony held at The Mitre public house in the town on Sunday, December 11.

Tributes were paid to former Crew Commander Roland (Reg) Barker for 34 years as a firefighter with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Former Watch Manager Mark Smith was thanked for 26 years’ service at Crediton Fire Station.  He was also praised for his recent time as a whole-time firefighter in Exeter.

Former firefighters Leslie (Les) German were thanked for 17 years’ service and Kevin Osborne for 16 years’ service.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Gavin Ellis attended to present certificates of service to each of those retiring. Each of the certificates had been signed by the Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell.

Mr Ellis said: “I know that between you, you have racked up an amazing 93 years of service to Crediton and the wider community.

“You are the backbone of the community.

“Well done and thank you for your service.”

Former Crediton Station Manager Peter Howison presented ceremonial firefighter axes to Reg and Mark and paid tribute to both who had started under his time in charge at the station.

Kevin and Les also received plaques for their long service.

The current Crediton Station Commander Neil Hargreaves, said: “I would like to echo the sentiments of what was said, that it has been a pleasure to work with all four and that the knowledge and experience which they shared with the current firefighters has been invaluable and we wish them well for the future.”

The firefighters had each attended hundreds of incidents and fires across the county and further afield as well as locally during their time with the fire service.

Many current and former Crediton firefighters attended the presentation ceremony.

BOB KESTELL

During the ceremony a tribute was also paid to the late Bob Kestell, a much-respected former Crediton firefighter who had recently passed away.

MORE FIREFIGHTERS WANTED

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recently issued an appeal for more people to become on-call firefighters at Crediton, Chulmleigh, North Tawton and Witheridge.

On-call firefighters need to live or work within five minutes of one of the on-call stations.

Visit DSFRS careers pages to find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter and which stations are recruiting at: https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/careers/vacancies/on-call .

Most Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue fire stations are crewed by on-call firefighters.

On-call firefighters do the same emergency work as whole-time firefighters, but they can also have other jobs. While on duty, they carry a pager, which activates when they need to attend an incident. 

You don’t need to have any previous firefighting experience, just the passion to protect and help your community, and a good level of fitness.

Full training is given, applicants must be 18 or over, have a good level of strength, good eyesight, be able to drive and have a good grasp of maths and English.

Crediton Station Commander Neil Hargreaves said that anyone interested in joining at Crediton can obtain more details, or just call in for a chat, at one of the Crediton Station Tuesday evening training nights from 7pm.