CELEBRATIONS Ambulance service has bid farewell to retiree

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has bid a fond farewell to Bob Spiers, who is retiring after almost 40 years of service.

Bob, the Trust’s fleet procurement and disposals manager, has fulfilled a string of roles since he joined the service, including locality ambulance officer, emergency planning officer and fleet manager.

He is retiring to spend time with his family, including his four children and eight grandchildren.

Bob has worked in various parts of Wales during his time with the Trust, including Merthyr Tydfil, Powys, Newport, Pontypool and various parts of south-east Wales.

He said: “I’ve had a really good career with the Welsh Ambulance Service, and I’ll miss my colleagues and friends very much.”

Bob joined the service in 1978 and spent 18 years as an ambulance person in Powys before working as fleet manager for the then South East Wales Ambulance Service.

The Welsh Ambulance Service was formed in 1998, after which Bob was appointed locality ambulance officer of Merthyr Tydfil.

In 2004, he was seconded to the emergency planning department in the south-east region, during which time he delivered chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training to ambulance services colleagues across the UK on behalf of the Department for Health.

David Holmes, the Trust’s fleet manager, said: “I first met Bob 25 years ago when I was fleet manager for Gloucestershire Ambulance Service and Bob was fleet manager for South Wales Ambulance Service.

“During those years, Bob on many occasions has impressed me with his in-depth knowledge of motor vehicle engineering and how he uses that knowledge in the world of ambulance fleet management.

“He has earned the respect of all his colleagues in the National Fleet Strategy Group and has played his part in ensuring that the British and European standards for ambulance design and build have been adopted throughout the UK.

“Bob has been the one constant in the Welsh Ambulance Service’s fleet department for many years and has been the mainstay and ‘goto’ person for vehicle design and procurement within the Trust.

“Every vehicle in the fleet has benefited from Bob’s expertise and knowledge.

“Bob fully understands the needs of both the crews and the patients and has built those needs into the many detailed specifications he has written throughout his career.

“Since my time working alongside Bob in Wales, I have reaped the benefit of his experience, and although I won’t miss his acerbic one liners I’ll miss his commitment and support.

“I wish him all the best in an enjoyable and long retirement.”