A four decade long firefighting career was celebrated this month as one of Cambridgeshire’s longest serving firefighters retired.
Russell Gooderham, watch commander at Kimbolton Fire Station, spent more than 41 years responding to emergencies as an on-call firefighter around his day job and family commitments. The 62 year old attended his last drill night and signed off from his operational duties.
Russell said: “I would like to thank everyone I have served with and wish them all the very best for the future especially the current crew at the station. I have had a great career, and I do not regret a single minute.
“The crew around me have been a great support over the years. I have been lucky enough to serve with some fantastic people, many I remain friends with. My family have also offered me and the station fantastic support over the years.
“I have seen many changes over 41 years. Equipment is the biggest thing with advances in breathing apparatus and rescue equipment, as well as the protective kit that we wear.
“Retirement will hopefully allow me to travel more and finish my garden landscaping. I also enjoy fishing, which I intend to do more of.
Russell’s career was celebrated at a retirement party held at the station, where he was presented with a firefighter figurine by Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren, as well as a mounted silver axe by the crew. He was joined by his wife Joanne, daughter Daisy, who works in the Service’s Fire Control, along with colleagues from other stations and former colleagues.
Matthew said: “To give this length of service is a phenomenal achievement and one that we quite rightly celebrate. We thank Russell for his dedication and also thank his family for their huge support over last four decades.”
Russell concluded: “I have loved every minute of my time and would do it all over again given the chance. I leave the station with a great team that I will certainly miss and wish you all the best.”
Russell was one of more than 200 on-call firefighters across Cambridgeshire, who respond when they are needed to emergencies. These range from fires and road traffic collisions to animal rescues and people trapped. They carry a pager when available to respond and will drop everything to get on a fire engine to help people in their local community.
To be an on-call firefighter you need to be within five minutes of your local fire station, either while at work or at home, and have a good level of fitness.
