Airport firefighter set to retire after 34 years

A firefighter at East Midlands Airport (EMA) is set to retire after almost 35 years of service.

Julian Essex was employed by British Midland at the time of the Kegworth Air Disaster in 1989, and said the crash contributed to his decision to become a firefighter.

He initially started working at the airport in 1984 as a ground handler and in security, before joining East Midlands Airport Fire and Rescue in 1991, where he has been called out to fires in cabins, galleys and aircraft undercarriages.

Essex, who is due to retire at the end of March, said: "If somebody is in trouble we are there and we will do our best to make their day a bit better."

Essex, 59, was working as a ground handler for British Midland at EMA during the time of the Kegworth crash, where 47 people died and 74 were seriously injured when Flight 92 crashed on the M1 in Leicestershire.

Although he wasn't on shift at the time, he said he saw how it affected his colleagues working at the airport.

Reflecting on the impact this had on his career, he said: "Without a doubt I am one of those people that I believe if I was in the vicinity at the time I would have tried to help."

"My theory was if that's how I feel, I would rather be trained and rather know what I was doing and certainly that's why I wanted to join the fire service after that," added Essex, of Sawley in Derbyshire.

As well as responding to fires, crews also clear snow from the airfield, attend medical emergencies, and check fire alarm systems and the implementation of fire regulations.

Essex said: "I work with a great team of people. We all have a laugh, but as soon as that alarm goes down or somebody needs help, all of them are professional to the end."

Over the years, Essex has witnessed big changes at the airport in Castle Donington, Leicestershire.

He said: "The airport has done wonders for me and has provided some stability through hard times.

"The place has changed drastically over the years.

"The current fire station was being built when I arrived - it used to be under the old air traffic control tower.

"You wouldn't recognise the terminal building from that period – some people will remember being able to come in as a non-flying customer, have a drink and go out on a viewing platform, which is now just a flat roof.

"There was only one apron, not three, and security was only in place for that. You could have driven out on to the runway if you'd wanted to back then."

Martin Lindsay, head of the East Midlands Airport Fire and Rescue, said Essex brought "lots of experience and dedication" to his role and would be "sadly missed".

Essex is now looking forward to spending more time with his daughters and three grandchildren.

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