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Warm
Tribute as firefighter calls it a day
“I
like helping out in the community, and firefighting has been a part-time hobby
for me” A FIREFIGHTER has hung up his helmet and boots and waved goodbye to the job he called his 'hobby', after almost quarter-of-a-century serving the community Kev Robinson (47), of Crowle, worked as a retained fire fighter in his hometown for 23 years. He carried out his fire fighting duties alongside his full-time job as a joiner, helping operate a cabinet business with a partner. However, due to an increase in demand for the services of their Oakleaf Cabinet Makers in Crowle, which he jointly owns, he has decided to give up fire fighting. He said: "It was not an easy decision. I like helping out in the community and fire fighting has been a part-time hobby for me." Although Kev works next door to the fire station, he said working both jobs at the same time had not been easy He added: "Juggling the two jobs is perhaps the most difficult part of the job, because it is a big commitment. "When you put yourself on call, it means you Retirement Kev Robinson can be called out at any time and you can't say no." To make matters even more demanding, around the time Kev started fire fighting his son Adam was born, which meant his commitments increased. Kev is married to Freda and, he said, without her support and that of his son and endless child minders, as well as friends and family working in the job would not have been possible. He said: "I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped out over the years, because without their help and patience it would not have been possible." Over the years Kev said he has been to a range of incidents, but the worst part of the job was attending road accidents. He said: "Road accidents are the worst, especially when there are young people or teenagers involved. "Sometimes I think it would be a learning curve for youngsters to look at some of the accidents we get called to, and that would certainly slow them down." Kev, who always wanted to be a joiner by trade, never thought he would become a fireman. He said: "I worked next door to the fire station and they were always looking for new recruits."So one day I was asked if I would be interested in joining up, and I said yes." But over the years he has learned many new skills and made a lot of new friends. "I will miss the camaraderie, because fire fighting is a team effort," he said. He went on to say on one occasion he was called to a fire at the back of his shop on the eve of Bonfire Night, after some youths had set fire to some wood there. "It was a bit strange - but it made me run quicker!" he joked.
AWARD: Kev Robinson (right), who has retired after 23 years as a retained fire fighter at Crowle, is presented with a certificate of merit from Kev Rowbotham, risk manager of Humberside Fire and Rescue Service. Now he can look forward to extra free time on his hands, the husband and father plans to spend more time with his family He added: "I want to spend time going out a bit more, because the job I do limits you, and I want to play more golf." Fire-fighter Peter Hibbard said Kev and his knowledge of the area would be missed by the fire service, but he wished him all the best on his retirement. In a tribute to him, he said: "Kev is a respected figure in the fire service and he has been quite willing to offer his experience to the other guys. "Over the years he has gained vital knowledge and an understanding of the area which will be missed, because it is vital to the job." Home-History-Historic Pictures-Training-The Crew-Past & Present-Fund Raising-Statistics-Fire Safety-Links-News - Incident Reports - Community Safety - Commendation - Awards |
