Lytham Fire Station thanks Vincents Solicitors and John Ardern estate agents

Two Lytham businesses have been recognised by their local fire station for supporting the town’s On Call unit. Vincents Solicitors and John Ardern Estate Agents were given certificates of thanks by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service at a recent ceremony at Lytham Fire Station.

Both firms have an On Call firefighter on their staff and allow them to respond to call outs at a moment’s notice during their working day. Firefighter Connor Ward is a conveyancing assistant at Vincents Solicitors, while Watch Manager Paul Farman is senior sales negotiator at John Ardern estate agents.

Both are based at offices in Park Street, within the five-minute Call Out radius for Lytham Fire Station which is round the corner in Station Road. Both men provide Day Cover for the station, which is wholly staffed by a team of 14 On Call firefighters.

Area Manager John Rossen said: “Without the support of Vincents Solicitors and John Ardern Estate Agents, the Lytham pump would not be able to function as effectively as it does, providing this life-saving service for the people of our community.

“Employers allowing firefighters the flexibility to leave work and be late from time to time is very much appreciated by all at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service. We simply could not keep our communities safe without your continued support.”

Connor Ward, 29, said: “I love my job and I love being a firefighter, and I feel incredibly lucky that my employer allows me to do both. Not many people know about being an On Call firefighter and might be worried about how their boss would react, but it’s always worth asking. Vincents have been fantastic, I can’t thank them enough.”

Solicitor Luke Robinson is Connor’s boss. He said: “As an employer we support flexible working for a variety of reasons, although I have to admit Connor is the only person who disappears almost instantly to the sound of an alarm going off.

“He’s a hard worker and a loyal colleague, and he never lets his team or our clients down. It’s a privilege to help Connor to achieve his ambition of being a firefighter and doing something incredible for this local community, and we’re really proud to support the Lytham On Call fire station.”

The Recognition Ceremony also saw individual firefighters presented with certificates for their service, and all the team’s families thanked for their support.

For more information about becoming an On Call firefighter with Lytham Fire Station and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service please contact Stuart Jones on 07920 786 805 or StuartJones@lancsfirerescue.org for more information.