Fintona firefighter hangs up his hose after 35 years

IN the late 1980s, Fintona was blossoming from a big village into a small town, and the necessity of ensuring the growing population’s safety was becoming evermore salient.

Reflecting the increasing need for fast-reacting emergency services, the fire authority decided it was high time to put together a dedicated team of local men and women to keep the burgeoning population safe.

In 1988, a freshly-founded rank of local firefighters was formed. Among those who made up their first crew was recently-retired officer-in-charge, James Gallagher (72).

“One of the first things we did was take a series of courses in Belfast and Omagh, including first aid, road traffic collisions, breathing apparatus, and normal firefighting,” began the Fintona man, casting his mind back 35 years.

“We were all part-time, and were stationed in a site on on Mill Street (formerly the old picture house), which was completed in May, 1988.”

The headquarters was formally- opened by the reigning chief officer of the day, along with local councillor, Crawford McFarland.

Looking at a copy of the UlsterHerald from the time, James laughed as he read a report that described how the team ‘treated their visitors to a display of firefighting in impressive style’.

Almost four decades have passed since that publication was printed, during which time, James has been dispatched to some of the most horrific events in the recent history of the county.

“Along with all the day-to-day fires and road traffic collisions, I was there in the immediate aftermath of the Drumcree arson attack, the Omagh bomb, and the horrific Lammy house fire,” James said.

Though agreeing that his work was, in many ways, more harrowing than most people could bear, James said his role within the fire service has been ‘deeply rewarding’.

“Saving lives by rescuing people is something that gives you a unique kind of purpose, but there are other aspects of the work that are also valuable.

“There are smaller jobs we do in the community that bring their own kind of reward.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

As officer-in-charge, James oversaw a long-running campaign to raise money for Children in Need, an annual charity barbeque, and a highly-successful fundraiser that helped save Fintona’s Christmas lights.

“These might seem like relatively trivial things when compared with the rescuing-people-from-a-burning-building side of the job, but this is all part of the totality of what life as a firefighter is really like.”

James said that he would encourage anybody who wants to make a difference in their community to consider a job with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue (NIFRS).

“For a lot of my career in the fire service, I was also driving school buses.

“NIFRS is a very flexible organisation with roles to fit a lot of different people. If you want to make a positive difference in your community, think seriously about looking into work with the fire service.”

At the age of 72, just a few weeks ago James was one of the oldest active firefighters in the North.

We asked him if it was hard to step away from something that has been such a central fixture in his life.

“Not really, to be honest. I am 72, I had a heart bypass last year, and I know that it is time to hand it over to young blood.

“Of course, I will miss my colleagues in the station, but I know my time to hang up the uniform has come. If we get a cadet centre established somewhere near home, perhaps I would think about volunteering there,” said James.

One of those he will miss is NIFRS assistant group commander, Paddy Quinn, who had this to say about his longtime comrade: “James has always truly enjoyed training his firefighters to be the best they could be.

“He would nurture them as if they were his own family. Recently, one of these trainees was FF Gorman, his niece, ensuring the Gallagher firefighting legacy will continue in Fintona.

“James, a well-respected and dedicated firefighter, will be sadly missed by us all.

“I want to express my thanks and good wishes to James for his service.

“All of us at NIFRS wish him all the very best of life in the future with his wife and family.”

‘IT MEANS A LOT’

For now, though, it is time to take a life a bit easier.

“My wife, Kay, is happy that there will be no more late night calls summoning me to the station, and I am sure she has a few jobs for me to do about the house. However, I have a Morris Minor and a Triumph Herald that could do with some overdue attention, so there will be competition,” James laughed.

Concluding on a note of sincerity and gratitude, James said, “I would like to take this chance to thank Kay and the family for everything they have done and continue to do for me. As well as that, I want to thank all my friends in Fintona for my retirement party, and all my colleagues in Dromore and Omagh for their gifts and well wishes.

“It means a lot, so thanks.”

On that note, James took off, probably to race to the request of one of his nine grandchildren, who no doubt will ensure that their grandfather’s semi-retirement (don’t forget about the buses) will not be spent reading paperbacks and drinking tea.