The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Tributes paid to teacher and volunteer firefighter
Staff across Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have been paying tribute to Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade (PVFB) firefighter Will Baker who died on Tuesday evening.
Will, aged 40, was discovered at the volunteer fire station in the city by a colleague. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
Will had been a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. Known for his commitment to the brigade and the people he served, he was always true to the brigade’s motto of ‘always, ready and willing’.
PVFB Chief Officer Tony DeMatteis said: “Will was a long serving and well-respected member of the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade.
“He was kind, caring and loved helping anyone he could without a thought for himself. This has come as a great shock to us all and he will be terribly missed by all that knew him.”
Chris Strickland, Chief Fire Officer of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Our volunteer fire brigade is a significant and much valued part of our service.
“Will, like his colleagues at the station, had offered his time to the community for many years, readily making sacrifices at home to respond to his pager and support Peterborough residents when they needed it, demonstrating his dedication, commitment and sense of community.
“Our thoughts remain with Will’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
“We will continue to do all we can to support them as well as Will’s colleagues at the station.”
As well as being dedicated to his role as a volunteer firefighter, Will’s other passion was his main job as a teaching assistant at The Phoenix School in Peterborough where he had worked for 16 years.
Headteacher Charlotte Whysall said: “Will was the heart of our school community, he was loved and respected by all.
“We will miss his humour, commitment and passion – nothing was ever too much for Will and he went above and beyond to support our pupils. No one has done more and asked for so little in return.
“Will was the very best of us, he made a huge difference to the lives of all those he came into contact with and will remain in our hearts.”