Issued on Thursday 25 August 2016
DEATH OF FIREFIGHTER ON DUTY
It is with great regret that Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service sadly announces that Crew Manager Paul Wilkens passed away on the morning of Tuesday 23 August 2016, whilst on duty at Castle Donington Fire and Rescue Station.
The whole Service is devastated and shocked at the sudden and tragic loss of our friend and colleague.
Paul was a consummate professional who had a huge energy and zest for life. During his career in the fire service, and prior to that the Armed Forces, he touched and influenced many lives and his loss is immeasurable.
At this hugely sad time our primary concerns are very much focused on Paul’s partner, his children and his immediate and close family. As a Service, we are doing everything we possibly can to support them.
I am sure you will recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for Paul’s family and we ask you to respect their privacy as they come to terms with their loss. Likewise, I am sure you will also recognise that Paul’s death has had a profound impact on all of our staff, especially those that worked most closely with him. As such, if there are any requests for further information connected with this tragic event, they should be directed to the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, via Corporate Communications.
Steve Lunn
Chief Fire and Rescue Officer
ENDS
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last five years, fire related incidents have reduced by 32.6 percent.
During 2014/15, the Service attended 619 road traffic collisions, of which 155 were extrications freeing 194 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 4316 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4339 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1590 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 314 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Dominic Halliday
Communications and Digital Media Administrator
0116 2292178
dominic.halliday@lfrs.org
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