'Inspirational' firefighter retires after 41 years

A volunteer firefighter, who has been praised as an inspiration to colleagues, is preparing to retire after 41 years' service.

Crew manager Tom Reid joined Wareham fire station in Dorset on 6 December 1983, while also holding down a full-time job at the Forestry Commission.

His knowledge of routes through forests and how to deal with people trapped by trees has been invaluable, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said.

Mr Reid said he had loved every minute of his firefighting career, despite the lack of freedom from being on call.

Notable incidents in the veteran's career include the fire on the merchant vessel EBN Magid in 1986 and the BDH factory blaze in Poole in 1988.

However, Mr Reid said one of the most memorable was the fire that broke out over more than 180 hectares of Wareham Forest and heathland in 2020.

He said: "On one hand, working as part of such a big team, all pulling together to extinguish this extraordinary fire, was something very special.

"However, on the other hand, I was looking at 20 years of my working life literally up in smoke, and that was very difficult."

A few weeks later, he recalled taking part in community clapping for the NHS during the Covid pandemic.

"On this one occasion, someone in the crowd then called: 'Three cheers for the firefighters,'" Mr Reid said.

"We all had some dust in our eyes at that point."

Dozens of well-wishers turned up for Mr Reid's final drill night on Tuesday.

Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said: "It's people like Tom, and their dedication to their colleagues and the wider community, that keep the fire and rescue service going.

"He has been a real inspiration to his colleagues at Wareham and across the wider Service, and he will be missed."

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