Fabdec Group recently welcomed representatives from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to our Ellesmere site, recognising a partnership between the two organisations that has now spanned an impressive 41 years.
The visit also provided an opportunity to recognise two members of the Fabdec engineering team who serve as firefighters alongside their roles within the business.
Between them, the two Fabdec employees have accumulated an impressive 33 years of service with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Their contribution has become particularly significant during an exceptionally busy summer for firefighters across Shropshire.
An Exceptionally Demanding Summer
The visit comes following a period of exceptionally hot and dry weather across the UK, with successive heatwaves contributing to challenging conditions for fire and rescue services.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service reported more than 130 fires in the open during July alone, alongside a number of large-scale wildfires and other significant incidents during periods of extreme heat.
The Service has also provided support beyond the county, deploying crews and fire engines to assist neighbouring fire and rescue services during major incidents.
The scale of the recent activity has placed increased demands on both full-time and on-call firefighters.
Against this backdrop, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service wanted to recognise those who have helped them continue responding when needed. This includes the two Fabdec engineers pictured, as well as the support provided by Fabdec as their employer.
33 Years of Combined Fire Service Experience
Alongside their day-to-day engineering roles at Fabdec, our two colleagues make themselves available to respond to incidents and help protect their local community.
Together, they have contributed 33 years of service to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Balancing an engineering career with the responsibilities of an on-call firefighter requires considerable commitment. During periods of increased callouts, that commitment becomes even more apparent.
It also depends upon the support of employers who allow on-call firefighters to respond when their communities need them.
For Fabdec, providing that support is nothing new.
A Partnership Spanning 41 Years
Fabdec Group’s relationship with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service stretches back 41 years.
Over more than four decades, Fabdec has continued to support employees serving with the Fire and Rescue Service alongside their roles within the business.
The relationship reflects Fabdec’s longstanding connection with Ellesmere and the wider Shropshire community, where the company has been based for more than six decades.
Fabdec’s Managing Director and General Manager joined our two engineers and three representatives from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for the commemorative photograph.
The occasion brought together both organisations to recognise not only the longevity of the partnership, but also the people who continue to make it possible.
Supporting Those Who Support Our Community
This summer has demonstrated just how important on-call firefighters remain to communities across Shropshire.
The UK has experienced an extraordinary period of hot weather, with several heatwaves throughout the summer. During the most recent major spell, temperatures reached 38.1°C in the UK, while Pershore in neighbouring Worcestershire recorded 38°C.
Hot and exceptionally dry conditions have created particularly challenging circumstances for fire crews and contributed to the significant number of outdoor fires experienced across the region.
For an on-call fire service to operate effectively, however, the dedication of firefighters themselves is only part of the picture. Support from families, colleagues and employers also helps make it possible for them to respond at short notice.
We are therefore particularly proud to recognise the dedication of our two colleagues and the contribution they continue to make outside their roles at Fabdec.
We would also like to thank Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for visiting our Ellesmere site and recognising the support provided by the wider Fabdec team.
After 41 years of partnership and 33 years of combined service from our two engineers, it is a relationship that continues to make a genuine contribution to our local community.
