ONE of Dorset’s longest serving firemen has recalled the moment he received the 999 call every firefighter dreads.
John Drew, watch manager at Sturminster Newton fire station, was looking back over a near 40-year career with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service at a ceremony attended by more than 100 friends, family and colleagues.
He recalled: “I received a call to say my daughter, Laura, had been in an accident and that it was a bump with a van about the same time that we got the pager alert for a road traffic collision, persons trapped from fire control.”
John’s wife, Jasmine, said: “The people who were at the scene had been asked by Laura to call ahead and warn John and the crew since she knew he would be called out to the accident. When they got there Laura’s car was like a banana. After a long process Laura thankfully made a full recovery.”
Chief fire officer Darran Gunter presented John with a special Making a Difference award and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his commitment to the service.
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