Firefighters thanked for 130 years service to community

Mukesh Chada joined in 1982, retired in December 2020 after 38 years and three months service; David Brown joined in 1988, retired in June 2020 after 32 years and three months service; Derek Quinn joined in 1991, retired January 2021 after 30 years service, and Richard Dawson joined in 1996, retired September 2020 after 23 years and 10 months service.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) assistant group commander Patsy Begley said: “Mukesh, David, Derek and Richard should all be incredibly proud of the service they’ve given their community over the course of their time with Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS).

“I want to thank them on behalf of the organisation and on behalf of their community for their fantastic 130 years of collective service.

“Being a firefighter is a rewarding job but it can be challenging, not just for the firefighters but for their families too.

“I’d like to also thank all those who supported Mukesh, David, Derek and Richard throughout their career.

“During the course of their time with NIFRS they have all responded to a wide range of challenging incidents to keep our community safe and I hope they all enjoy a long, healthy and happy retirement.”

The four local men made the conscious decision to join the NIFRS during the 1980s and 1990s knowing the dangers of the job.

Northern Ireland was still in the midst of the Troubles and it was a challenging time for them all, including their families.

Their first three years of service was filled with weekend after weekend of courses so that they could acquire the skill set of a firefighter.

Although the real experience is gained on the fire ground with all four starting to crew appliances after their first six weeks of inital training completed.

The training and learning didn’t stop there a s they continuously maintained their skills throughout their careers, with refreshers in breathing apparatus, road traffic collision, water rescue, hazmat, working at heights, First Aid to name just a few.

Anyone with the correct training can become a firefighter, but it’s the experience gained along the way that makes you a good firefighter.

And that’s exactly what the NIFRS had with these four men.

It’s very important to firefighters that they can look round the cab en route to a call and immediately know what their role is based on their colleagues strengths.

All of them carried rank of Leading Firefighter, known today as Crew Commander, on numerous occasions during their careers when the role needed filled.

They have received their 20-year long service/good conduct medals with countless Chief Fire Officer Commendations along the way, the highest award that can be given to a firefighter.

They have been commended for their roles in the following incidents: blaze at RIR base, Magherafelt, in which three soldiers died and eight were injured (1994); lorry and van crash on bridge outside Draperstown (2014); rescue of two from vehicle with had collided with a tree at Randalstown ((2016); and fire at spray unit at SDCTrailers, Toome, (2017).

Meanwhile, the NIFRS is holding their annual recruitment drive this month for potential new members.

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