A LOCKERBIE firefighter’s dedication to the service and his day job has earned his employer a special award.
John Irving has been leading a double life as an on-call firefighter and the greens keeper at Lockerbie Golf Club for nearly 40 years, balancing his responsibilities at the club with his service as an experienced, dedicated, and respected SFRS watch commander.
In recognition of the golf club’s role in supporting the John in his on-call role, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) station commander Colin Wallace presented club captain Chris Harris and club secretary Charlie Kennedy with the SFRS Gold On-Call Employer Award.
Commander Wallace said: “Lockerbie Golf Club’s unwavering support has allowed John to perform his on-call duties to the highest standards, always putting his community first. Their commitment to the on-call model is an exemplary demonstration of the important role that employers play in enabling their employees to serve their communities effectively.
“John’s long-standing involvement with the SFRS has not only helped save lives but has also inspired others through his professionalism and dedication. This partnership between John and Lockerbie Golf Club underscores the significance of collaboration between the SFRS and local employers, ensuring that communities receive the timely and effective fire and rescue services they deserve.”
The service stresses that the support of employers is essential for the success of the on-call model as it requires their cooperation and understanding, ensuring that employees can take time away from their regular work to attend to incidents and attend training sessions. Without this flexibility, the on-call system could not operate effectively.
Reacting to their award, Chris Harris said: “Everyone at Lockerbie Golf Club are delighted and proud of John and his service to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“When you mention golf and the fire service in Lockerbie then John’s name is first on the list as he is synonymous with both. It is an honour to have John working alongside us and we are immensely proud to have the affiliation with the fire service over the last 40 years.”
