LYDNEY firefighter Kevin Saturley attended his final drill night last week before retiring after 30 years, but he’s not completely cutting his ties with the fire service.

Kevin, who joined the service on July 1, 1988, will continue as a fire safety inspection officer, ensuring buildings are safe for the public.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I enjoy fire safety. It’s not as enjoyable for some people as squirting water on a fire but its good because you are helping people and keeping people safe in buildings.”

During his 30 years, Kevin rose from firefighter to being in charge of Lydney fire station as watch manager.

He met the then Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, for his work during the 2007 Gloucester and Tewkesbury floods, being described as ‘ever present’ during the crisis by deputy chief fire officer Andy Hermiston.

Kevin joined the fire brigade after the company he worked for closed – and the process was pretty straightforward.

“Being recruited at that time meant turning up at the local station, measuring your chest and putting a breathing apparatus on your back.

“Then you did 12 hours’ training and you were given an alerter and you were going out to fires.”

Kevin also thanked his wife and two sons for their patience over the years as the job had an impact on family life.

Wife June and son Matt were at Lydney fire station on Tuesday, June 26, to see Mr Hermiston present Kevin with a framed collage of highlights from his career and a certificate.

“I always had it in my head that I would do 30 years. I was lucky –when I joined you had to retire at 55 and there were people leaving who did not get the chance to stay on.

“I wouldn’t have done it without my wife and my sons because they put up with a lot when I was shooting off.”

Mr Hermiston said 30 years’ service “is remarkable and is really appreciated.”

He added: “Your reputation is as a man of few words but someone who has a reputation for high, exacting standards.

“You are seen as a pragmatic person with a calm disposition which is very useful for us in the operational environment.

“You have the trait of the firefighter in being a selfless person – it has never been about Kev Saturley, it has always been about Team Lydney.

“Anything that’s been successful in Lydney, Kev’s always been at pains to say that everyone has contributed.”