WHEN he takes his battery out of his pager this week, crew manager Don Distin will call time on his 32-year career in the fire service.

The two-times Mayor of Ashburton has served at both Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Fire Stations during that time.

‘I will be sad to finish my time with the fire service but feel that at the age of 58 it is time to move on and let the younger generation of firefighters take over,’ he said.

‘I’ve always done my best to do my duty to the community and the fire service,’ he added.

And he certainly has. With the Ashburton Station receiving around 120 calls a year he has attended at least two thirds of those.

‘I’ve played my part in dealing with three of the biggest fires in recent years in Devon and Somerset,’ he says.

He was with 30 other fire appliances dealing with the huge gorse fire at Trendlebere Down near Bovey Tracey.

He fought the second huge fire at Trago Mills in 2004 along with crews from 30 other fire appliances.

The sky turned black with smoke and children were evacuated from the nearby school.

He was drafted in to battle the huge blaze at the Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter in 2016.

He’s even had his fair share of rescuing cats stuck up trees!

‘Yes we’ve been called in to deal with three or four of them over the years by the RSPCA and we’re always glad to reunite owners with their pets.’

On another occasion, he was among the crew called in to help release a poor woman who was stuck in her bath!

‘But my proudest moment was three years ago when we fought against proposed cuts that could have seen our fire station at Ashburton closed.

‘I am so pleased we were able to campaign and keep that open with the help of and for our community.’

Don started at Ashburton Fire Station when he was working for Axminster Carpets as an electrician and he was on call for Buckfastleigh Fire Station during the day and Ashburton at night.

When Axminster Carpets closed the depot 10 years ago, he returned to Ashburton Fire Station and became self-employed, running his own electrician’s business.

His last two shouts this week have been quite a contrast.

On Friday he was helping to fight the fire at Barkingdon Business Park near Staverton, and you can read about that on page 12. Fire crews from Ashburton and Buckfastleigh were first on the scene.

‘It was a fantastic example of all the local fire stations and teams working well together, as we always do. That has been a fantastic part of the job over the years, all backing each other up and getting on with the job.

‘We did really well to keep Friday’s fire contained to the one commercial unit that was destroyed in the fire as it was in great danger of spreading to the neighbouring unit.’

Then on Sunday, Don and the Ashburton crew were called out to deal with a man who had embedded a hedge trimmer in his leg in Ashburton.

‘Fortunately, we were able to release him and let the ambulance team take over. He was very lucky,’ said Don.

A presentation night was held this week at Ashburton Fire Station attended crew members.

‘I will obviously miss working so closely with my colleagues at the fire station and want to thank them for their support and friendship.

‘I also want to thank my family for their unstinting support over the years from disrupted meals to late night callouts.

‘My wife Jill, daughter Lauren and grandson Luka have always been so supportive of me.’

Many fire chiefs have paid tribute to the modest firefighter.

‘At Friday’s shout at Barkingdon Business Park Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gerald Taylor came up and shook my hand and wished me a happy retirement, which was a kind gesture,’ said Don.

‘Wednesday nights are our training nights at Ashburton and they will seem strange in future, but I’m so looking forward to spending more time with my family.’

Fellow Crew Manager Chris Stanton said: ‘I’ve known and worked with Don for 30 years and he’s one of those guys who would change his plans at the drop of a hat to deal with a shout. He has been totally dedicated to the town and fire service and a very good friend.

The hours of service he has given to the fire service is massive and he never thinks twice about a callout.

‘We have been at weddings together and gone off to fight fires, he is that dedicated.

‘He’s going to leave a big hole when he goes.’

Ashburton Fire Station Watch Manager Kev Lewis said: ‘I’ve worked with Don for 32 years and we have been on countless shouts together.

‘Don is 100 per cent reliable and always there for you.

‘He puts in far more hours than he needs to and is such a great example of service to the younger firefighters.

‘His connections with the council are an invaluable asset to the local fire fighting service here in Ashburton.’