FIREFIGHTER Dave James is retiring after 41 years in the town.

Dave joined the service in 1975 and has been based at Tenbury Fire Station since joining.

As well as being a firefighter for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS), he also works as a painter and decorator.

The 64-year-old started his service at the old Teme street fire station on June 9, 1975 and spent 11 years as a firefighter before he was promoted to leading firefighter in 1986. He spent eight years as leading firefighter and was then promoted to sub officer in 1994 before the title changed to Watch Commander. He has led the station for 22 years.

During that time he has been called out to over 5,000 incidents and has spent over a quarter of a million hours on call.

He's been awarded the 20 year long service and good conduct medal, a 30 year award, and a 35 year outstanding service medal.

Dave also received a chief fire officer's commendation and a commendation from the PM Gordon Brown following the floods of 2007.

He was the figurehead of the fire service in the floods of 2007 that affected Tenbury so badly and attended so many other incidents as well, including the Sun Valley fire, Richard Lloyds fire and Bedstone College fire.

"Dave has served Tenbury and the greater community of Herefordshire and Worcestershire for 41 years,” said Station Commander Phil Sanders.

“This is no small commitment having provided over a quarter of a million hours of cover and attending over 5,000 incidents.

“The service is extremely grateful for his professionalism and dedication over this time and also recognises the commitment this has taken from his family to be available at a moment’s notice. We wish him well with his retirement from the service and his future."

Dave’s wife, Sandra has supported him through his career, and has also been the station cleaner for the last 32 years and she too also hangs up her mop for the last time. As she was signing out for the last time, a fire call came in resulting in the firefighters coming running in over the clean floors.

Dave's retirement adds to the ever-present problem of recruiting ‘retained fire fighters'.

"Recruitment never stops, so we continue to look for committed men and women to join Tenbury's on-call crew to help provide the best possible service to the local community,” added Phil Sanders.

“So, if you're a good team player and you think this is the role for you, then please get in touch."

The Fire service offers a range of contracts from between as little as 40 hours a week up to 120 hours, with flexibility built in and paid annual holidays. On-call firefighters will also receive full training, uniform and can extra income whilst helping their local community.