Community Awards: Emergency services

Jun 15 2009 By Huddersfield Examiner

GRAHAM HOLROYD

FIREFIGHTER Graham Holroyd has played a key role in making sure Slaithwaite fire station is equipped to respond to emergencies.

A loyal servant at Slaithwaite for four years following 23 years as a retained firefighter at Marsden fire station, Graham played a central role in the transition of Slaithwaite from a full-time station to a retained – part-time – station in 2006.

He was asked to go to Slaithwaite specifically to help prepare for the change-over.

During the last four years he has been responsible for keeping the Slaithwaite appliance available for emergency calls by recruiting firefighters from the local community.

The training of trainee firefighters, which was been painstaking but effective, means the Slaithwaite fire engine is always available.

Even though he has become a full-time firefighter at Stanningley fire station in Leeds, Graham still manages to spend about 10 hours a week as a watch manager at Slaithwaite.

Paul Suchi, station manager for Marsden, Meltham and Slaithwaite fire stations, said: "Graham was heavily involved in the transition at Slaithwaite in bringing in new personnel in order for it to be able to respond to fire calls and training the new people.

"He oversees everything.

"We are quite remote here and have to wait quite a while for help if we need extra resources during an incident, so we have to be well-maintained, functional and efficient. Graham is important because he encourages and enthuses the other firefighters."

Roy Whitehead:

AN ERA came to an end at Huddersfield Ambulance Station when Roy Whitehead retired after 35 years.

Roy served the ambulance service with distinction after joining as a paramedic in 1974.