Firefighter leaves his station for the last time

A LOCAL firefighter has decided to retire from his role as watch manager at the Westbury Fire Station following 34 years of service to the town and the surrounding areas.  

The Westbury Fire Station held a leaving presentation evening on Monday 4th July to celebrate the retirement of Jim Shaw, a Westbury man who dedicated the majority of his life to the local fire and rescue service as an on-call firefighter and watch manager.  

Jim said, “It feels strange to say goodbye after 34 years, but now’s the time for a bit of me-time. I’ve been doing this since I’ve been 18; my wife and kids only know me for being part of the fire brigade, so it will be strange for them to see me with some free time for once! 

“My wife will be keeping me busy now that I’ve got some free time, that’s for sure! I’ve got a motorbike so I’ll be going out as many times as I can to make the most of the good weather. It’s also just nice to know that I don’t have to be home for a certain time just so I’m available to be on call.” 

Jim, who is 52 and works as a manager at an engineering company, joined the service in 1988 and he was first promoted to crew manager in 2003 before becoming watch manager in 2020. He won the 2018 White Horse News Person of the Year Award after giving 30 years to the fire and rescue service. 

“We used to be called part-time firemen but we actually do more hours for the fire brigade than we do for our actual jobs,” he added. 

“There’s 168 hours in a week and I was contracted to 168 hours so I was on call all the time. I obviously work at the same time so you can imagine how stretched you can be sometimes. 

“I really need to thank my wife for her support over the years, and for the countless times we couldn’t go out as I was on call. A big thank you to the guys I’ve worked with over the years, I’ve worked with some brilliant people. 

“When the alert goes off you haven’t got a clue what you’re walking into – we could be dealing with cats in trees, all the way up to a nasty car accident. 

“I’m leaving the watch in the capable hands of Peter who I know will do a great job.” 

Peter Eastland, the new watch manager said, “I’d be hard pressed to commit myself to the service just as much as Jim has – I take my hat off to anyone that can commit to that kind of service.  

“Jim has really helped me grow professionally and he’s been giving me advice on how to be the best watch manager I can be. He’ll be missed here, and we wish him the very best with the free time he has now!”