'I can't thank them enough' - Retired firefighters return to frontline in Tyne and Wear due to coronavirus pandemic

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) confirmed that a number of retired firefighters are back on the books to provide assistance during the coronavirus outbreak.

Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear, tweeted a picture of some of the staff on Tuesday, March 31.

He said: “The first of my retired colleagues who answered my call start their retraining today. Carl Latimer, Paul Hopkins, Steve Williams, James Ferguson and Martin Abbott – the first of many.

“I can’t thank them enough. Heroes.”

In March, Mr Lowther took part in a radio interview, during which he said “recently retired firefighters could be asked back” as the brigade looked at what measures it could implement during the crisis.

A TWFRS spokeswoman confirmed that some former staff have answered the call and said in a statement: “So far, these are 11 previous firefighters, crew managers and watch managers.

“We are currently running a course which will refresh their skills enabling them to return to operational duty.

There is also a possibility that further staff could be making a return to the front lines, with TWFRS bosses hopeful of more sign-ups.

The spokeswoman added: “We are also processing new responses which were received following our social media posts last week, and other direct engagement which will hopefully allow us to run a further refresher course in the near future.”

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