'If I could go back in time I would do it all again": Long serving Staffordshire firefighter retires after five decades in the job
Staffordhire firefighter Kelvin Knapper has hung up his helmet after more than 50 years.
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Protection Manager Kelvin Knapper, who joined Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service as a trainee in 1974 helped tackle summer wildfires in 1976 and went on to attend many major incidents throughout his career.
And he has seen lots of changes along the way.
“There’s been massive developments over the years. Equipment, technology, firefighting techniques and health and safety. More recently changes in fire safety law after the fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017.
“Today the bulk of our work is around prevention and education, rather than response, but when we do respond we are so much better prepared.”
“I look back to 1974 when I joined, it seemed a good idea. A career helping others that’s exciting and fulfilling and made me feel proud at the end of every working day.
“After almost 51 years of service I have so many memories. Incidents attended, people rescued and those we sadly couldn’t save.
“I’ve also worked with some fantastic people, who taught me how to do the job, and if I could go back in time I would do it all over again.”
“I have some great friends and a fantastic family with grandchildren, so I’ll be spending time with them and get all the jobs done in the house that I’ve left for so long,” Mr Knapper explains.
He started his career at Burslem Fire Station when the Stoke-on-Trent Fire Brigade, Burton-on-Trent Fire Brigade and Staffordshire Fire Brigade almalgamated. His worked in the investigations unit for 30 years, identifying the cause and origin of fires before transferring to fire safety duties 15 years ago.
Now looking forward to calling it a day, he will not be resting on his laurels , but aiming to do volunteering work.
Praising him Staffordshire's Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber says: “Kelvin has devoted most of his life to keeping the communities here in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent safe. He should be incredibly proud of his contribution - we are incredibly proud of him. His commitment has been outstanding.”
