Jason Tooke of Bungay Fire Station retires after 33 years

Jason Tooke, 54 and who was based at Bungay Fire Station, said he "loved every minute" of helping to keep people safe.

"I have lots of nice and kind words from people for my service, and it sounds a cliché but it's true, although flattering as I was just doing my job", Mr Tooke said.

Jason Tooke at his 'Passing out Parade' taken in 1991 (Image: Jason Tooke)

"It has been a demanding job that required a lot of commitment and acceptance from my extended amazing family, but I loved every minute.

"Being an on-call firefighter affects the whole family, missed dinners, days out cancelled, and get-togethers, but I wouldn't change it for the world.  

"It has been an honour to serve my local community, alongside dedicated firefighters throughout the local area within Suffolk and Norfolk."

Mr Tooke shared the memories he had on some of the biggest fires he tackled during his time.

He said: "My first ever call was to Browns Restaurant as it was formerly known as on Earsham Street in Bungay, with a small electrical fire in the basement.

"But definitely one of the biggest jobs I worked on which people in the town will certainly remember was in 1999 at the Ditchingham Maltings.

"That fire was absolutely huge, arriving first on the scene we barely knew where to start it was just so massive.

"We were there all night, along with crews from all over, tackling the fire at the maltings.

"Also the Hippodrome Bingo Hall in Lowestoft, where I spent most of the night on an adjacent roof, pouring water into the building. It was an enormous fire I dealt with and was one of the first to the scene for."

Appliances tackling the Ditchingham Maltings fire (Image: Newsquest)

Now the family man is looking forward to focusing on his own business, attending concerts and music festivals.

He said: "It was a decision made with a heavy heart because I loved the job, but sadly after all those years I am not getting any younger.

"Now I am retiring from it I am just looking forward to not sleeping with one eye open, and the clothes ready to jump into in the middle of the night.

"And definitely spending more time with family and friends that are not in Bungay.  

"I think my partner Lorraine is looking forward to me finishing a job without getting called out halfway through it.  

"But I am not stopping totally and will focus on running my business called Norton Aggregate, I have an 18-tonne lorry doing sand and gravel deliveries."

Jason Tooke being awarded a certificate for his service (Image: Suffolk Fire Service)

Mr Tooke explained that he got into the job when he met a firefighter at his parent's old pub, The Angel on Lower Olland St.

"When I was 21 I moved to Bungay with my parents who were landlords and landlady of the old Angel pub in the town," he said.

"It all started for me when I met one of the firefighters, a lad called Peter Payne, who basically invited me to come along and meet the boys at the station.

"Straight away I found it amazing and never looked back and the rest is history."

The old-fashioned pump picture was taken in 2018 by a colleague FF Rainer, who took the mickey asking if it was like this when Mr Tooke started (Image: Mr Tooke)

Mr Tooke has received a letter of congratulations and thanks for his service from the chief fire officer, Jon Lacey