Pioneer paramedic Brian's final call-out
He was called out to the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 and was one of the first people to qualify as a paramedic in the West Midlands in 1989.
Now 69-year-old Brian Kerrigan from Laurell Road, Dudley, is preparing for a quieter life enjoying his caravan in Wales after he retires tomorrow. The father-of-four has worked at ambulance stations across the Black Country including Cradley Heath, Smethwick and Oldbury.
"I remember going to the Birmingham pub bombings and it was a case of complete and utter chaos," he said.
"Looking back we did not really do much because it was being looked after by Birmingham but we were there to support them.
"There were scenes I will never forget and the whole area was just similar to something like a war zone."
Mr Kerrigan spent time in Cyprus as part of his National Service and was based with the Royal Army Service Corps in 1960.
He left in 1962 and joined the ambulance service in 1965 after spending time as a factory worker where he met his wife, Pat, aged 66. The couple married in 1964 and have four sons.
"I have seen lots of things during my time and sometimes the sites can be very nasty," said Mr Kerrigan. "I would say the other thing that gets you through is an understanding wife to help you.
"You also need her to be understanding because of the shift patterns you work and that plays a big part." Earlier this week colleagues at Oldbury ambulance station, where he had been based for the last four years, presented him with a bottle of champagne ahead of his official retirement party next month.
Divisional Commander Steve Perry, 56, of Church Vale, Wolverhampton, said: "Brian has always been an exceptional colleague and he is someone that everybody respects.
"He will give you an exceptional amount of service and it is nice that he will be able to put his feet up. I cannot thank him enough for the hard work that he has done here and for the people of Sandwell."
Station manager Simon Chambers, 44, of Willenhall, said: "I have known him for about 20 years and he is a really nice bloke. I am sure he will enjoy his retirement – and will savour watching the rain out of his caravan window!"
