Mallow crew says fond farewell to fire chief Tony Douglas
GLOWING TRIBUTES PAID TO TONY DOUGLAS ON HIS RERIREMENT AFTER 28 YEARS OF SERVICE
FAMILY and colleagues of former Mallow fire service station officer Tony Douglas gathered last Friday night to pay tribute to his almost three decades of service to the local community.
Originally from Charleville, Mr Douglas joined the Mallow Fire Service in February 1990 and worked his last shift at its helm from 1999 to last July.
New station officer Jonathan Madden led the tributes to Mr Douglas during the gathering in the local fire station, speaking in glowing terms of his former colleague’s dedication to the job and professionalism.
“During 28 years with the Mallow Fire Service Tony has been a pivotal figure, overseeing the response to numerous minor and major incidents across the Mallow area, including the blazes at the Patrician Academy and the Annabella Roundabout Pub,” said Mr Madden.
He said that Mr Douglas’ influence was also felt much farther afield, most notably through the training courses he oversaw with fire fighters from across Cork and other counties.
“Over the course of his career Tony ensured that he kept up to date with all of the latest techniques across all aspects of the job. He was in much demand as an instructor and his expertise and deep knowledge of the job will be sorely missed,” said Mr Madden.
“Above all, Tony was a magnificent station officer who ran the Mallow station 24/7 with his crew of 12 officers in a highly professional manner, working closely with his colleagues in the neighbouring stations of Kanturk, Charleville, Millstreet. Mitchelstown, Fermoy and Cork City,” he added.
During the gathering other colleagues also paid their own tributes to Mr Douglas, thanking him for the help and encouragement he had given to them over the years. They also presented him with a statue and a gift to mark the occasion of his retirement.
“That so many people wanted to thank Tony personally was a great testament to the man, his professionalism and the high regard in which he will always be held by the many people who have been fortunate to work alongside him over the years,” said Mr Madden.
“I know that I speak for all of his colleagues in wishing him all of the very best in his retirement and that he will be greatly missed by all of his friends here in Mallow Fire and Rescue,” he added.
Speaking to The Corkman, Mr Douglas said he was touched that so many former colleagues and members from other fire stations across Cork had turned up for the gathering.
“It was great to see so many familiar faces. While I will miss many aspects of the job, in particular the camaraderie with my colleagues and the other emergency services, I felt that it was the right time for me to step down and I have no regrets about retiring,” said Mr Douglas.
“It is with a sense of great pride that I can also say that no fire fighter from Mallow was seriously injured under my watch,” he added.