Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 29/10/2010 08:43

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Area manager Colin Hatch MBE has retired from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service after 31 years of dedicated and loyal service.

Colleagues from the Fire Service across the country and the Council, celebrated his retirement and gathered at Hayle Rugby Football Club on 23 October 2010 to celebrate his remarkable career and to thank him for his outstanding service to Cornwall.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury said: �gWe all owe Colin a massive debt of thanks for his dedication, hard work, and commitment.�h
Cornwall Council cabinet member for community safety and neighbourhoods Lance Kennedy said: �gIt is an honour on behalf of Cornwall Council and personally to congratulate and thank Colin for his outstanding commitment to the community.��

Colin joined Cornwall County Fire Brigade on 26 March 1979 and was initially stationed at Camborne Fire Station.

During his illustrious career he worked at a number of different locations throughout the service and served in a variety of different roles including Training Manager, Divisional Commander for West Division and Senior Staff Officer based in Truro. His final posting being that of Area Manager for Protection in 2010.

He has always been a keen sportsman and this interest has seen him promote and support sports within the Fire Service. He has held a number of elected positions in Cornwall as well as regionally and nationally, culminating in being awarded the National Fire Service Sports and Athletic association plaque for his contribution during the evening�fs presentation.

Local Cornwall Councillor John Coombes speaking on behalf of the communities of Hayle and Angarrack said �gColin is a man who is totally unique. He is respected and admired by all who have made contact with him. He cares for all who are in any kind of need; and shows it by visiting them and getting alongside them in his own time.

�gThe men and women in the Fire Service also respect him; and he in turn has worked with them. There was no job that he asked of anyone else that he was not prepared to do himself. In our life time, his shoes in the Fire Service will never be filled.
�gOn behalf of Cornwall Council I would like to thank him for 31 years of sterling service. He is a community man; and has given west Cornwall a great deal for us all to be thankful for. I count it a privilege to be a friend of Colin and wish him a very long and happy retirement�h.

With approximately 300 attending the retirement evening at Hayle Rugby Club, Colin said �gIt has been an honour and privilege to have been part of a service that supports the community in so many different ways. I have made a number of friends over the years and will miss them all. Special thanks for this evening must go to Hayle Rugby Club for hosting the event and the small team who made it such a memorable evening�h.

So what of the future? Colin is adamant that there is still much to do and he will continue to be involved with his local community of Angarrack and remain an integral member of the famous �eAngarrack Christmas lights�f show. He also continues to assist with the re-development of the community centre within the village.

Colin Hatch was awarded an MBE for Services to Local Government in the 2009 New Year�fs Honours List for his service to Cornwall Fire and Rescue service, his support of sport in the Fire Service and his community activities.