Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
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| Some of the retained crew at Cullen Fire Station |
Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:
“Retained firefighters have their own day jobs to carry out but make themselves available for mercy calls whenever these come in. Their commitment and dedication are second to none.
“Cullen’s team of retained firefighters are a vital part of the community’s resilience. It’s therefore very important that crew numbers are maintained.
“Cullen’s Watch Commander and Crew Commander have both spoken very expressively not only of the importance of the job, but how much they enjoy it and the skills and experience they derive from it. I would urge anyone who wants to find out more about helping their community by becoming a retained firefighter to get in touch via the Cullen Fire Station Facebook page or the SFRS website.”
“Cullen’s team of retained firefighters are a vital part of the community’s resilience. It’s therefore very important that crew numbers are maintained.
“Cullen’s Watch Commander and Crew Commander have both spoken very expressively not only of the importance of the job, but how much they enjoy it and the skills and experience they derive from it. I would urge anyone who wants to find out more about helping their community by becoming a retained firefighter to get in touch via the Cullen Fire Station Facebook page or the SFRS website.”
Watch Commander Simon Tucker has been protecting the community and surrounding areas for 19 years after signing up at the age of 25. He said:
“This is the greatest job in the world – that’s the best way I can describe it because it develops and challenges you but with full support. “One of my favourite parts of the job is being able to go into the community, meet new people and help by giving some safety advice.
“Every year we go into the local primary schools and demonstrate CPR with the kids so that they are equipped with the skills to assist a cardiac arrest where seconds are precious until the arrival of paramedics.
“It is always a date I look forward to – and it is amazing to see how much the kids remember.”
“Every year we go into the local primary schools and demonstrate CPR with the kids so that they are equipped with the skills to assist a cardiac arrest where seconds are precious until the arrival of paramedics.
“It is always a date I look forward to – and it is amazing to see how much the kids remember.”
WC Tucker continued:
“We’re here and want to help the community – but we need more firefighters to ensure we are always there when local residents need us most.”
John Jappy is the Crew Commander at the station and has been a retained firefighter for 16 years; in his primary employment he works as rough caster and plasterer. He said:
“The job can give so much, with some people it’s just something different outside a normal office job or with others it really enhances their practical skills that they wouldn’t possess otherwise."
John Jappy is the Crew Commander at the station and has been a retained firefighter for 16 years; in his primary employment he works as rough caster and plasterer. He said:
“The job can give so much, with some people it’s just something different outside a normal office job or with others it really enhances their practical skills that they wouldn’t possess otherwise."
“It’s a family - when your pager goes you’re leaving one family to go to another and it’s fostered a lot of great friendships between our children and partners.”
Retained firefighters are paid on a call out basis and crews use a text-based system to inform the SFRS control rooms of their availability.
To find out more information, visit the ‘work with us’ section on www.firescotland.gov.uk or contact Cullen Fire Station or the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on Facebook.
