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London firefighter retires after 45 years

Harry CraigBBC News, London
News imageLondon Fire Brigade Malcolm McCarthy, a male firefighter standing in front of a bright red fire truck. He is wearing a firefighters uniform - a light brown coat with yellow and silver reflective strips across the chest and upper arms and a bright yellow reflective helmet with a chin strap. The fire truck behind him is seen from the front-on, and has 'Fire' written across the middleLondon Fire Brigade
Malcolm McCarthy joined the London Fire Brigade in 1979 after writing a letter stating: "I wish to become a London fireman"

One of London's longest-serving firefighters has retired after more than 45 years of service.

Malcolm McCarthy joined the London Fire Brigade aged 21 in 1979.

He labels himself the "relief king", having frequently attended as relief for major incidents such as the Brink's-Mat bullion heist in 1983, King's Cross fire in 1987, and the Sussex Arms bombing in 1992.

Mr McCarthy said he had "had a long, varied, interesting career" and "wouldn't have changed it for anything".

News imageLondon Fire Brigade A black-and-white photograph of a group of eight male firefighters, stood in front of a London Fire Brigade fire truck. There are three firefighters sat on chairs in the front row, with five firefighters standing behind them in a row. They are all wearing matching outfits, with smart jackets, trousers and shoes, and a firefighters' cap. The truck behind them is positioned side-on.London Fire Brigade
Mr McCarthy in his early days, standing in the middle of the back row

Mr McCarthy started his career as an apprentice toolmaker, until his lifelong best friend told him about his job as a firefighter.

He said he thought it sounded "absolutely brilliant" and wrote a letter to the London Fire Brigade simply stating: "I'd like to be a London fireman."

He began his career as a firefighter at Finchley's satellite centre after passing his tests at Southwark.

He then moved to Heston as part of the Blue Watch.

News imageLondon Fire Brigade A group of eight male firefighters standing in front of a bright red fire truck. Seven of the firefighters are stood in a row, with one of the firefighters crouched on one knee in the middle, in front of those standing. All of the firefighters are wearing black buttoned jackets with big, brown belts around their torsos, and are also wearing bright yellow trousers and brown boots. They are in a car park, with the fire truck positioned in the background to their right, front-on.London Fire Brigade
Mr McCarthy, fourth from left, back row, has worn five different sets of fire gear during his 45 years of service

He has gone on to do stints at fire stations in Ealing, Soho, Harrow, Stanmore and Paddington, and considers his time at Ealing in the late 1980s and early 1990s as his favourite.

He explains he had an "eight-year rule", whereby he would move on to a new station after eight years.

When he began his career, Mr McCarthy wore cork helmets, yellow plastic leggings and no gloves.

He has since worn five different sets of protective fire gear during his career.

News imageLondon Fire Brigade A black and white photograph of five men, standing in front of four cut-outs of cartoon firefighters. Three are in firefighter gear, wearing dark, buttoned jackets with a large belt across the torso, light-coloured trousers, and a light-coloured helmet. The two other men are dressed in civilian clothes.London Fire Brigade
Mr McCarthy, third from left, said he would "recommend [his job] to anybody"

Mr McCarthy said he was "grateful" to get in to the London Fire Brigade.

"It's given me all the excitement I need and a good living," he said.

"You learn early on that you can't save everybody, but as long as you've tried your hardest, you can walk away with your head held high.

"In their hour of need, people call us. It's a very noble thing to do and I've enjoyed my time so much.

"I would recommend it to anybody."

Asked about whether he planned to spend more time on his hobbies, Mr McCarthy said: "The London Fire Brigade provided me with the excitement that a hobby can give you."

He said he plans to "do a bit of travelling" and "get out more on my motorbike" in his retirement.

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