Bolton firefighter retires after 30 years in service

Stacey Jeffries was based at Bolton North Station and has played a huge role in the community and raised money for good causes over the years.

During the 1996 bombing, Stacey jumped off the lead appliance and rescued a security guard under the rubble on the second floor, along with a team of heroic firefighters.

He said: “There have been some really sad times, some frightening times and some truly wonderful times during my 30-year journey.

“All I ever wanted to be, was a firefighter and I remember with fondness as a kid, watching the flames at my grandad’s allotment in Reading with him telling me, ‘Stacey, you’re going to be a fireman when you’re older’.

Stacey and the team received a commendation in 1996 for their work and this was framed and given to Stacey.

He said: “My heartfelt thanks to the firefighters at Bolton North and Bolton Fire Stations for their kindness on my retirement with their thoughtful gifts and my sincere gratitude to Chief Fire Officer Dave Russell for the framing of the commendation Green Watch Philips Park received in 1996.”

On his last parade, Stacey was joined by the young family of watch manager Dan Lee, who died in August last year after a night out in Manchester.

Stacey fundraised over £11,000 for the family and Mr Lee’s six-year-old daughter drew a painting for Stacey’s retirement.

Station manager, Ady Taylor had nothing but kind words to say on Stacey.

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He said: “He has been a great firefighter and will be sorely missed by all of us here.

“He has passed a lot of knowledge onto the younger crew and has also taken care of the Dunscar Memorial in his free time, which he’s done an amazing job at.

“Losing Stacey is a loss to us at GMFRS.”