Omagh firefighters blow out the candle after 30 years service

TWO firefighters from Omagh, who joined the service within a week of each other back in April 1990, have retired after putting their life on the line for the local community for more than 30 years.

When Willie Sayers and Paddy Blee, who both worked through the flames and rubble of the Troubles, made their last descent down the pole last week, it signaled the end of three decades service with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).

To honour these two diligent public servants, who for three decades sacrificed a large part of their life to safeguard local people, there was a special farewell reception at Omagh Fire Station.

Among those who attended to pay their respects to Willie and
Paddy was Omagh Station Commander, Adrian Clarke, who had the dignity of presenting both men with tokens and certificates of official recognition.

Speaking to the UH, Adrian said, “I worked with both these men for 22 years and they attended difficult incidents of all manner.”

House fires, car crashes, water rescues, animal recovery; the weight of the work the fire service do is heavy and carries serious pressure.

“Willie and Paddy were always enthusiastic and good at their jobs,” observed Adrian.

“They were on-call 24/7, unless they were on holiday, and saw a lot of incidents caused in the course of the Troubles and otherwise. They always executed their duties with the utmost professionalism.”

In typically stoic firefighter fashion, the commander avoided words like brave, resilient and strong – but of course these adjectives are highly appropriate.

“Both men on occasions acted as leading firefighter, meaning they were in charge of their team.

“To do that job well, you need to have good leadership qualities and have the respect of your peers. These two men had both in excess,” said the commander.

Speaking with Willie, who is also a well-known Omagh estate agent, he recalled that while the stress could be intense, and the experiences sometimes gruesome, the camaraderie among the team pulled local firefighters through the toughest times, including the Omagh bomb, which Paddy attended.

“We were put to some difficult tasks and seen some bad stuff through the years,” said Willie. “But the strength of camaraderie between us was immense, and that is what kept us going.

“I’ll miss that friendship and the bond between us all in the station. As hard as it could be, I’ll remember my days with the fire service as happy, rewarding ones.”