Firefighter celebrates five decades of service during our 50th anniversary

A firefighter who joined as a trainee in 1974 is celebrating 50-years of service in the same year as our 50th anniversary. 

Protection Manager Kelvin Knapper has served local communities in Staffordshire for five decades after starting his career at Burslem fire station at the same time that Stoke-on-Trent Fire Brigade, Burton-on-Trent Fire Brigade and Staffordshire Fire Brigade merged into a single organisation.

Kelvin dealt with the long summer wildfires in 1976 just two years after joining, alongside a number of large factory fires, chimney fires and electric blanket fires before smoke detectors were widely used.

Kelvin said: “The service has changed massively. Not only in the range of incidents firefighters now attend, but the role has also changed over the years.

"It’s less about responding to incidents now and more about stopping those incidents happening in the first place by educating the public and businesses about the importance of fire safety.

“We’re also much better prepared now should an incident occur and the advances in technology have ensured firefighters are much safer when responding to incidents. What hasn't changed is the camaraderie, skills and commitment of all the persons involved in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“It’s a fantastic organisation to work for and I wouldn’t still be here after 50 years if it wasn’t. For anyone who is after a career that is rewarding, offers variety and the opportunity to progress, I’d definitely look towards the fire and rescue service.”

To commemorate the achievement, we organised a surprised presentation at the Newcastle Community Fire Station on Monday (19 August).

Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber, who delivered the presentation, said: “It makes me so proud to represent the service knowing that we’ve got people like Kelvin who proudly devote most of their lives to keeping communities safe in Staffordshire.

“It gives me tremendous pride to recognise him on such a fantastic achievement, one that has coincidently aligned with the same anniversary of our fire and rescue service as we know it today.”