A FIREFIGHTER who has helped protect Dunbar and the surrounding area for the last 20 years has been rewarded for his long service.

Graham Forsyth was joined by colleagues from throughout the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at a special event at Linlithgow Burgh Halls where more than 40 members of operational and support staff were presented with Long Service Good Conduct medals and Long Service Awards.

Retained firefighter Graham, who joined the Dunbar station in 1998, told the Courier: “I suppose it has flown by over the last 20 years. It is a long time and it does not feel like it.

“There have been changes over the years. . . all the services merged and became the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. It changed from the Lothian and Borders to Scottish, which is a huge organisation.

“There is more training, more in-depth training now.”

The father-of-two joined the fire service after taking on an industrial fireman’s course through his work at Torness Power Station, east of Dunbar.

The 53-year-old discovered a passion for the job and soon became part of the part-time crew based on Countess Road.

He said the job could prove unpredictable and added: “You have no idea what you are going to get.

“One minute it could be a false alarm or it could be to go and rescue a hamster or kitten, which we have done, or it could be a major car crash with people seriously injured.

“Your heart is going a little bit every time.

“There have been family dinners abandoned when the pager goes off.

“My wife, Ann, has found the shower still running with no one in it!”

But Graham’s very first call still stuck in his mind, despite two decades passing.

He said: “It was when Scotland were playing Brazil in the World Cup in 1998.

“The call came in about 10 minutes before kick-off. It was up at a steelyard and there was a transformer on top of a pole that was on fire.

“We didn’t have much involvement, it was just making it safe.”

Alasdair Hay, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chief officer, and Dr Kirsty Darwent, chair of the board, attended the ceremony and presented the recipients with their medals and certificates.

Mr Hay said: “It is always a privilege to attend these ceremonies and it is my honour to be able to present not only our committed firefighters, but also our equally dedicated support staff and outstanding members of the public for their services.

“I am delighted to be able to personally thank each of them, each of whom have dedicated so much of their lives to protecting the public.

“Our firefighters are the very best of the best and continually demonstrate their unwavering commitment to helping keep Scotland safe.”