Edinburgh firefighter honoured for 50 years service with fire engine named after him

Dave Farries, who will have a fire engine named after him after he was honoured by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Photo: SFRS)

Dave Farries, 67, has spent his whole career as a firefighter.

A firefighter who has spent his entire career at the fire service has been honoured with a fire engine being named after him.

Dave Farries, 67, originally from Hawick, joined the South Eastern Fire Brigade in 1968 and spent his career serving in and around Edinburgh, working in all but one of the capital's fire stations.

The watch commander helped create and launch the country's first 'Mobile Fire Museum', a fire engine appliance re-purposed to teach communities about the heritage of firefighting in Scotland, in 2016.

Honouring his more than 50 years of service, the Mobile Fire Museum will now be named after Mr Farries.

The announcement was made at recognition ceremony at Linlithgow Burgh Halls, when Mr Farries was also awarded a certificate and statuette by Chief Officer Martin Blunden in recognition of his landmark 50-year service.

Mr Farries said he was humbled and described the honour as the "ultimate accolade".

He said: "“This truly is something very special, and means a great deal to me and my family.

“I was asked recently by the Chief Officer how I would feel about an appliance being named after me. I was taken aback, and slightly embarrassed if I’m honest.

“I was humbled and over the moon to find out that it is to be the Mobile Museum, and that my name will be there long after me.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time, working alongside tireless colleagues and dedicated volunteers, in developing the Mobile Fire Museum to what it is today.

“This, for me, is the ultimate accolade. To the best of my knowledge, the naming of an appliance is not something awarded to many people within any fire and rescue service.

“Frankly, I don’t feel that I deserve this – I am just lucky to have been able to stay the course in a job that I love.”

Chief Officer Martin Blunden said Mr Farries is "hugely respected" by the fire service.

He said: “I was incredibly proud to present Watch Commander Dave Farries with his Meritorious Service Certificate, in recognition of an incredible 50 years’ dedication to his community, to his country, and to the fire and rescue service in Scotland.

“Watch Commander Farries is a hugely respected figure within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – and indeed across the UK – and we are fortunate that so many colleagues have been able to benefit from his advice, knowledge and experience during his long and distinguished career.

“That he is now approaching his 52nd year of service, is quite remarkable. This is a truly fitting award, for an outstanding individual.”