FIrefighter recognised for 30 years service

The 50-year-old, who was presented with an award by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Michael Craig-Cooper, counts his proudest moment as when his son Lee joined the brigade in 2002.

He said: "I became a firefighter before he was born. He had tried other jobs but one day he said to me 'I think I'll give the Brigade a go'. We've been at the same incidents and have even been standby at the same station. The other guys couldn't believe we were father and son.

Sean, who lives in Catford, has attended thousands of fires, car crashes and other unusual incidents but struggles when he recounts his most upsetting call in his 30 years.
He said: "We we're called to a fire alarm sounding and on our way back to the station, we were asked to attend a bus crash. When we arrived we quickly realised that it was a fire engine that had gone over on its side.

"Firefighters didn't wear seat belts in those days and my close friend from a neighbouring station was thrown from engine and was trapped underneath the vehicle. My crew and I helped to release him but he was pronounced dead at the scene."