Firefighter retires after 30 'brilliant' years of work
A FIREFIGHTER has retired after 30 years of service and said people are now far safer in their homes and on the roads than were he started his career.
Bob Trotter, 54, from Rushey Close in Ringmer, has served all over the county, including stints in Lewes, Brighton and Eastbourne.
He said: 'It's been fantastic. I think I can look back at my working life and say it's been brilliant.
'It's moved on so much, deaths in house fires have gone down and are going down each year.
'Road deaths are also lower than before, not just lower than before my time but also lower than when my father was born!'
Mr Trotter said modern fire engines are seven times more effective at putting out fires because most of them use foam instead of water.
He said the highlight of his career was helping to ensure almost every home on the Brighton estates of Whitehawk and Moulescomb were fitted with smoke alarms, paid for by the Government funding.
On Monday (April 20) his colleagues saw him off in suitable style at the Eastbourne HQ and gave him an axe in a presentation case – a traditional gift for departing firefighters.
He is also planning an event-filled retirement and his next target is to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats.
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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