Firefighter Paul Taylor (54) delays retirement to remain on call at Forres Community Fire Station
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A FORRES firefighter has delayed his retirement to continue helping his local station during the coronavirus crisis.
Paul Taylor (54) was due to retire and start a new chapter of his life on Spain's Costa Blanca this week after three and a half decades as a firefighter.
Along with wife Angela, he was due to swap Forres for Algorfa in southern Spain before the coronavirus pandemic placed everything on hold.
With the dream move delayed and the couple remaining in town, Paul decided he couldn't simply retire and leave his colleagues to it – so he postponed his retiral to remain on call as Watch Commander with the retained crew at Forres Community Fire Station.
He said: "We were all set for the move. We have sold our house and bought our new home in Algorfa and our things were already packed to be collected this week when everything just came to a halt.
"Obviously it’s been a very disappointing and uncertain time. We are still staying in our sold house, so ultimately I couldn't sit at home and feel sorry myself. I couldn’t leave the station, and my mates, short at this time.
"Four of these lads are posties, for example, and they are still out working hard at their day job while remaining on call.
"Angela and I will make our move eventually, but until then I am in a position to help the crew, so it was a no-brainer to withdraw my notice papers and get the battery back in the pager."
Paul, originally from Yorkshire, recently retired from his day-job after 35 years as a firefighter with the Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence fire and rescue services.
He has worked as an on-call firefighter in Forres since 2006.
"I had retired from my job with the defence service after a fantastic career, and my notice was already in to leave and finish up with the retained service," Paul added.
"I have been very lucky, and have loved my time with the defence service, and with my crew at Forres. All of the crews, past and present, have been great.
"I will be gutted when the time comes to finish up – but until then, I’m fit and able and here to do my bit."
Firefighting is in the family for Paul, with his dad and grandad both serving in Yorkshire. Between the three of them, they have served continually for 81 years.
Area Commander Martin Tait, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s local senior officer for Aberdeenshire and Moray, thanked Paul and all front line personnel for their commitment during the pandemic.
He said: "I must thank Paul for his unwavering commitment and service to Forres and the wider Moray community.
"We have seen a number of individuals, such as Paul, offer to postpone their much-earned retirement to continue working to protect their communities through this difficult period.
"Firefighters are being asked to do a difficult job in difficult conditions, and the dedication and spirit shown by Paul will help us to continue to provide a resilient emergency service throughout Scotland."
