'I've enjoyed every minute of 50 years in the fire service'

When Peter Whiteley joined West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) in January 1975, mill fires and moorland blazes were a common occurrence.

Industrial developments mean mill fires are far less common these days, although moorland blazes still occur regularly.

Mr Whiteley, from Calderdale, worked as a firefighter for 31 years before becoming a driver trainer in 2006. This year is his 50th working for the service.

WYFRS chief fire officer John Roberts said the 70-year-old had made an impact on "hundreds" of people throughout his career.

"I can honestly say that it's been a pleasure," Mr Whiteley told the BBC.

He said: "I'm proud to have worked with some really tremendous people, great firefighters, great characters and good friends."

Mr Whiteley recalled being given plastic gloves and a shirt made from nylon - a material now considered far from flame resistant - as part of his uniform as a 21-year-old new recruit.

The personal protective equipment issued to today's firefighters had "come on leaps and bounds", he said.

Mr Whiteley's time in the service saw a number of milestones for firefighters in the UK, including their first ever national strike over pay in November 1977, which lasted for nine weeks and led to better wages for the next 25 years.

He was also with the service at the time of the Bradford FC stadium fire in May 1985, when one of the stadium's wooden stands was engulfed in flames in just four minutes during a match between Bradford and Lincoln.

The fire left 56 people dead and at least 265 injured, with a documentary about the disaster, featuring personal testimonies of those who were there, to be released this year.

On Monday, Mr Roberts presented Mr Whiteley with a certificate of achievement from the service to thank him for his "huge" contribution.

Mr Whiteley said the challenges of the job, as well as his interest in what he does, kept him working beyond retirement age.

"I'm somebody that finds it hard to just sit about and do nothing," he said.

He plans to retire in January, when he will have clocked up 51 years of service, to spend more time travelling and seeing his family.

"I never thought I would meet this mark but I have enjoyed every minute," he said.

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