A DEDICATED firefighter from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has hung up his hose more than three decades after joining the service.
In his 32 years in the service, Station Manager Andrew Goodman has managed 12 of Warwickshire’s 17 Fire Stations – including Kenilworth, Warwick, Leamington, Shipston, Bidford, Alcester, Henley, Wellesbourne and Gaydon.
Andrew started his career at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1990 as a retained firefighter. In 1992 he joined Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service as a full-time firefighter, and made the move back to Warwickshire following his promotion to leading firefighter in 1996.
Throughout his career Andrew maintained both his full-time role as well as serving as a retained firefighter at Henley Fire Station until 1997. During his time in Warwickshire, he played an instrumental role in supporting his on-call colleagues with recruitment, training and development.
Andrew has worked in several teams including Training and Development, Adverse Event Investigation, Adverse Event Implementation, Operational Planning Department, Health and Safety and Community Fire Safety.
But his passion throughout his career has always been incident command. His last large operational incident was at the Crab Mill public house, just outside Henley-in-Arden.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Fire Officer Barnaby Briggs said: “Andrew has dedicated 32 years of his life to keeping the communities of Warwickshire safer.
“His level of professional knowledge is second to none and his unflappable approach at emergency incidents has always impressed those that observed it.
“From his early days as an on-call firefighter and throughout his career, Andrew has always sought to improve the safety of Warwickshire residents, often suggesting new and different approaches to resolve challenges.
“On behalf of all of his friends and colleagues at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, I wish Andrew and his family all the very best for the future.”
Warwickshire County Council’s fire and rescue spokesman Coun Andy Crump said: “I would personally like to thank Andrew for dedicating 32 years of his life to the fire and rescue service and the communities of Warwickshire and Oxfordshire.
“His hard work and commitment have helped to make Warwickshire a safer place. I wish him all the very best for the future and hope that he enjoys his retirement.”
