Former colleagues, I am delighted to welcome you to the website of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Retired Employees Association.

Well over 1500 firefighters, control staff and support staff have retired over the years from Strathclyde Fire Brigade and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

I think I would be right in saying that the great majority of those retirees would not have looked back on the fire service as just another job.

There is a particular pride and almost family bond in the fire service that is not found to the same extent in many other occupations. It is this strong attachment that leads many retirees to keep in touch with former colleagues, and find out what’s happening in their old station or other workplace.

The excellent idea to set up an Association came from Crew Manager Joe Harkins. I am sure that the Association will help retirees to renew old friendships and make new ones. As my Deputy, Eileen Baird, explains, the Association will also provide a variety of opportunities for people who do no believe that “off the run” means “out of action” or “living in the past”.

It is up to you, the members, to have the final word in how your Association is run, how it could help to fulfil your lives and how it could also benefit the wider community.

I look forward to developing our Association and I hope that you enjoy being a part of it.

BRIAN P SWEENEY
CHIEF OFFICER, STRATHCLYDE FIRE & RESCUE