ROGER OVER AND OUT
ROGER Whittle says his career at the Launceston Fire Brigade runs parallel to his father’s — both joined at 21, both had careers spanning 37 years, and on Tuesday he hung up his helmet for the last time.
Mr Whittle attended more than 4500 emergency incidents and served for 30 years as a station officer, an achievement that makes him one of Tasmania Fire Service’s longest-serving station officers.
He joined the Launceston Fire Brigade in 1984 as a recruit and was promoted to station officer in 1991.
Mr Whittle said he has seen many changes during his career including to communications and uniform requirements.
He said when he first joined they were required to line up in a formal uniform each morning to report for duty.
He said the crew became “one big family” and he would miss the mateship the most.
Mr Whittle said it had been a fulfilling career, but at times challenging.
Speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Whittle said “hopefully at about one minute past six, I might crack a can,” when his last shift comes to an end.
He said in retirement he was planning to join “the grey nomads and heading north” and “getting my golf handicap down to where it should be”.
Launceston Fire Brigade’s Mark Ciantar said Mr Whittle’s contribution to the team would be greatly missed.
“He has directly mentored in some way all the officer group and there is currently about 35 officers here,” Mr Ciantar said.