Residents came out their houses to wave, clap and cheer farewell to Freshwater Fire Station’s Steve Moran, who is retiring after 32 years in the service.
Steve joined the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service in April 1988 and it wasn’t long before he was promoted to Leading Firefighter – as it was known back then. He has spent the last 20 years as Watch Manager of Freshwater Fire Station, a retained station serving the West Wight community.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fire station has been unable to accommodate members of the public, so the crew asked local residents to stand outside their homes to show appreciation instead. Freshwater’s fire crew used the power of Facebook to organise a secret parade around Freshwater and Totland during WM Moran’s final drill night yesterday evening (Tuesday), completely unbeknown to Steve.
The parade travelled along The Avenue, the Broadway, around the roundabout at the war memorial before returning. The pump then travelled along Avenue Road, School Green Road, down Stroud Road and Victoria Road before turning right into Bedbury Lane, right into Queens Road and along Tennyson Road back to the station.
As well as fighting fires, rescuing cats up trees and freeing individuals trapped in the wreckage of car crashes, Steve has been involved in a number of fundraising and community events such as the Santa runs on Christmas Day, Marathon Ladder Climbs, car washes, school group visits and much more.
Group Manager Jeff Walls, who presented Steve with his Certificate of Recognition, thanked Steve for his many years of dedication to the service and wished him a very well-deserved happy retirement.
Kevin Garrett, Crew Manager at Freshwater Fire Station, who has served with Steve for the past 32 years, has said:
“On behalf of all the Freshwater crew, both past and present, I would like to thank Steve for his commitment to the job over so many years. Whatever the job, Steve has always shown calm professionalism and empathy for those involved. A true inspiration to others he will be sorely missed.
“We wish Steve and his wife Sharon the very best for the future.”
Following last night’s big community send-off Watch Manager Steve Moran has said with emotion:
“I want to say a huge thank you for last night. I was overwhelmed and I am so grateful to the crew and everyone who braved the wind to come out and wave.
“Being part of Freshwater station has been an honour and a privilege. I have worked alongside some of the best firefighters (and friends) and been involved in this great community for 32 years and I will definitely miss it.
“I want to thank my family and all the families of the crew for their continuous involvement and support. I wish the station and the crew all the best, I know they will continue to be outstanding in all they do”.
WM Moran retires on Monday 31st August. CM Kevin Garrett, who has himself served 32 years, will be stepping up as Watch Manager from 1st September.
What a great guy. A true hero and wonderful human.
A different species to what charity so often ‘keep’ from cradle to grave, and whom are vile and useless for virtually all of those all too long years.