A Burnham-On-Sea firefighter has this week been presented with a long-service award for his 43 years of front-line work.
Dick Solomon was presented with a meritorious medal and certificate by Devon and Somerset Fire Service Assistant Chief Fire Officer Glenn Askew at Burnham Fire Station.
Dick joined the service in 1973 and is believed to be Somerset’s longest serving firefighter, having served in Burnham-On-Sea, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton.
Glenn said: “I have known Dick for many years – he’s one of very few firefighters to have served this long.”
“He has given us 43 years of meritorious service and has a huge amount of knowledge and expertise for which we’re grateful.”
Dick added: “Being a firefighter is a great role in our community.”
“I still find it exciting after 43 years and am very fortunate to have been able to save several lives over the years.”
Having attended thousands of incidents over the years, he has tackled house fires, rescued motorists after crashes, and dealt with many emotional incidents.
“One that sticks in my mind was in 1987 when a serious house fire occurred in Market Street in Highbridge,” he says.
“I carried three children down a ladder to safety, but tragically four children died – it was a very emotional day that will stay with me.”
He also was among the fire crews who attended the M5 motorway crash near Taunton five years ago which he says was such a terrible accident.
Pictured: Dick, who says he has no plans to retire soon, received his award on Wednesday night (November 9th) in front of fellow firefighters at Burnham-On-Sea fire station
