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Chairman holds reception to thank employers of retained firefighters
The summer of 2006 was one of the busiest Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has ever known.
July's heatwave (followed, ironically, by flooding in August) saw the service answer a huge number of calls - some 4,350 in July 2006 compared with 1,800 the previous July.
On Tuesday (September 19) the Chairman of Norfolk County Council Patrick Hacon is holding an reception at County Hall to say an official thank you to some of those people who played a particularly crucial role this summer but who are sometimes overlooked - the employers of our retained firefighters.
Richard Elliott, Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk said:"In Norfolk we are heavily reliant upon our firefighters who work on a retained basis – in fact 39 of our 41 fire stations have at least one retained fire crew. These are people who live and work in their community and who carry a pager allowing them to respond to emergencies.
When our retained firefighters are alerted they leave whatever they are doing for their main employer and crew our fire engines. This means we are hugely reliant in Norfolk on the goodwill and commitment of those employers, without whom our service as it is today simply would not exist.
I am delighted the Chairman is holding this reception for representatives from a number of our employers of retained firefighters. The summer was one of busiest we have known and without their support the summer would have looked very different."
Chairman of Norfolk County Council, Patrick Hacon, said: "Our fire and rescue service did a magnificent job this summer dealing with what was one of the busiest summers in their history. I have nothing but the fullest praise for the frontline and support staff who coped so well with the challenges of July and August. I also though recognise that many retained firefighters were away from their main employers sometimes for hours on end, day after day and wanted to say thank you to them for their on-going commitment to the service.
I know not all employers are able to attend on Tuesday but I extend my thanks to them all and hope that those who are able to come have an enjoyable evening."
For further information please contact:
Martin Barsby, Communications Officer, Norfolk County Council Fire Service
Tel: 01603 819759
Email : martin.barsby@fire.norfolk.gov.uk
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