Praise for employers and their firefighting staff

Front from left: Chief Fire Officer Alan Taylor and Sub-officer Tracy Magill are pictured with some of the employers. Back from left, Patrick and Mike Hemmings, from A&J Hemmings, James Embrey, from Embrey Meats, Tom Martin from Castle Wood, and Andy Horrocks from Horrocks Coach Travel. Photograph reproduced by kind permission of the Shropshire Star

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service recently held a special event in South Shropshire to thank employers of retained firefighters for allowing them to carry out their duties.

The Employers' Evening was staged at Bishop's Castle Fire Station to celebrate both the efforts of the county's retained firefighters and their employers.

Officials said the co-operation of employers who allow their staff to work for the fire service is a huge benefit for the public of Shropshire, especially in the rural areas.

Retained Support Officer Glyn Davies who is also a retained firefighter at Ludlow, said "The evening was to say thank you and to show appreciation to all the employers who allow the retained firefighters to carry out their essential duties.

Without their support we could not operate."

The event was well supported with more than 50 people in attendance, including the Mayor of Bishop's Castle Jane Carroll, town councillors, police and community first responders.

Tracy Magill, Sub-officer at Bishop's Castle, said "It was a really successful evening.

"The employers got to meet each other and were presented with certificates as a token of our thanks."

22nd September, 2006