Firefighter retires after half-a-century of service

One of the country’s longest-serving firefighters is retiring after more than 50 years’ service.

Protection Manager Kelvin Knapper, who joined Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as a trainee in 1974, began his career at Burslem fire station as the Stoke-on-Trent Fire Brigade, Burton-on-Trent Fire Brigade and Staffordshire Fire Brigade merged into one organisation.

He dealt with the summer wildfires just two years after joining in 1976 and went on to attend many of the major fires in Staffordshire throughout his career.

He carried out fire investigations for 30 years, identifying the cause and origin of fires, spending the majority of his time in Stoke-on-Trent at Longton, Hanley and Burslem fire stations.

For the last 15 years he’s been Fire Safety Manager for the north of the county, working with our partner agencies to keep people safe at home and at work.

As you’d expect, he’s seen lots of change along the way.

“There’s been massive developments over the years. Equipment, technology, firefighting techniques and health and safety. More recently changes in fire safety law after the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017.

“Today the bulk of our work is around prevention and education, rather than response, but when we do respond we are so much better prepared.”

Whereas firefighting has certainly shifted gear over the last five decades, Kelvin wouldn’t change his story.

“I look back to 1974 when I joined, it seemed a good idea. A career helping others that’s exciting and fulfilling and made me feel proud at the end of every working day.

“After almost 51 years of service I have so many memories. Incidents attended, people rescued and those we sadly couldn’t save.

“I’ve also worked with some fantastic people, who taught me how to do the job, and if I could go back in time I would do it all over again.”

For now, Kelvin has his sights firmly set on the future.

“I have some great friends and a fantastic family with grandchildren, so I’ll be spending time with them and get all the jobs done in the house that I’ve left for so long!”

He also wants to do some volunteering work - continuing his long tradition of helping others.

Paying tribute to Kelvin, our Chief Fire Officer, Rob Barber, said: “Kelvin has devoted most of his life to keeping the communities here in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safe. He should be incredibly proud of his contribution - we are incredibly proud of him. His commitment has been outstanding.”