Tipton fireman gets long service award

A firefighter who has never had a day off sick has been honoured for long service.

John Williams, aged 37, of Tipton, was inspired to join as a junior firefighter at 16.

He recalls going to a fire at The George Inn pub, Halesowen, not long after starting his first full-time post at Cradley Heath fire station. He said: "When we arrived at the pub we could see a lady on the top floor and she was about to jump from the building.

"It must have been so awful inside that she had to get out any way she could.

"We rushed to get the ladders up to the window and she literally jumped into the watch commanders' arms."

He said car crashes were most harrowing.

"At the time you are a bit like a robot and you just do your job, but it is when you get home you think about it."

He was presented with a long service medal and certificate and an award for not having a day off sick. Mr Williams, who lives with partner Claire and daughter Sophie, four, in Cradley Heath says the main focus of his job now is working with young people.

He is the watch manager in charge of Sandwell Youth Programme based at Tipton fire station and runs courses for hundreds of young people in the area.