On Friday 15th July, people gathered to celebrate the life of long-serving member of our fire family, Paul Pryce, who sadly died in late June. The Service would like to honour his memory and pay tribute to a man who committed his life to helping others.
Paul joined Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service in January 1977 as a wholetime firefighter on Red Watch at Wellington Fire Station. From the beginning of his career with us his trainers described him as ‘a smart and polite man who carried out his duty well and was keen to learn’. Always willing to go the extra mile, Paul also undertook a Fire Prevention training course alongside his duties as a wholetime firefighter. Colleagues noted at this time that he was a hardworking man who showed great progress and set a good example for future firefighters to follow.
In 1979, Paul was involved in a collision while off duty which left him with a serious eye injury and unable to continue his career as an operational firefighter. This did not stop him serving his community and he went on to join Fire Control where he could help those in need as an operator.
Throughout the 1990s, Paul continued to thrive and was promoted to senior positions. He even earned himself a personal letter of thanks from the then Chief Fire Officer Kerr for his commitment and contribution to the success of the department.
Today, Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton said:
“Paul was one of our longest serving members of staff having been with us for more than four decades and he will be incredibly missed throughout the Service.
“He was a hardworking and dedicated man who always played an important role in developing our Service. His positivity and willingness to support others was commendable and his loss will be keenly felt, particularly in his Fire Control Team.
“Paul was incredibly well respected and liked by everyone in the Service he came into contact with and he will always be remembered fondly.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time and the Service will continue to support them.”
