The watch commander at St Albans Fire Station is retiring after 30 years of service.

Tony Bates started in September 1984 as a trainee firefighter at the temporary training centre in Welwyn Garden City.

The 52-year-old has since served at fire stations in Potters Bar, Cheshunt, Rickmansworth and St Albans– where he has been for 17 years.

Tony received a Chief Fire Officers Commendation in 1986 for his efforts in trying to save a person involved in a trench collapse. He also won the ‘Firefighter of the Year’ award in 2009 for his heroic actions in rescuing a person from a house fire.

District Commander Ian Markwell said: "Tony has been a well-respected, professional and dedicated officer for many years and will certainly be missed by the fire service and the personnel at St Albans.

“We wish him all the very best in his well-earned retirement."

Tony has attended a huge array of incidents ranging from rescuing cats from trees to being one of the first officers on scene at the Hatfield Train Crash. He also attended the huge blaze at the Buncefield Oil Terminal on several occasions.

A number of officers attended a farewell parade for Tony at the station this morning.