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Event marks Hook Norton firefighter’s 35 years service
05/11/2021
Nigel Matthews joined the service at 18 and gives over 120 hours of cover every week
An on-call firefighter at Hook Norton fire station has been recognised for 35 years service. Crew Manager Nigel Matthews’ dedication to the role was marked at an event on Wednesday evening.
Mr Matthews, who is a 53-year-old grandfather of four, joined Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service in 1986 at the age of 18. He followed in the footsteps of his brother Ivor, who had joined three years earlier, and their father, Windsor Matthews, who also served at Hook Norton.
Nigel’s son, Nathan, has also served with Hook Norton and between the whole family they have given around 125 years of service to the Hook Norton community.
At a small gathering of current and past work colleagues and family members, he was presented with a certificate of appreciation for 35 years of service by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Grahame Mitchell.
Nigel is the owner of the successful company Banbury Plant Hire, but still manages to give over 120 hours of cover every week as an on-call firefighter.
Over his 35 years, he has assisted countless numbers of people when they needed help the most, rescuing them from fires and car crashes, amongst many other types of incidents. He currently has no plans to retire from the service.
To be an on-call firefighter means that Nigel, in his primary employment, carries a pager that alerts him to respond and check if he is required to join the crew on an emergency call. He also gives cover when not at work, in the evenings and through the night. Whilst this is a big commitment for Nigel and his family, the feeling of helping his community is what keeps him ever-enthusiastic after all these years.
Gary Crone, Hook Norton’s Fire Station Manager, said: “The commitment and service that Nigel and the rest of his family have given and continue to give to their community is amazing. They are a fantastic example of what makes Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue the respected service that it is throughout the county.”
Hook Norton, along with most other on-call fire stations throughout the county, are always looking for the next generation of on-call firefighters who can help to keep their communities safe. Those offering their time don’t have to cover as many hours as Nigel and fire station managers are happy to discuss what is involved with anyone who is interested.
For further information about becoming an on-call firefighter, and other employment opportunities in Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, email: fire.recruitment@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam