Watch Commander Tony Bates, of St Albans Fire Station, retires on September 22 after 30 years of service.

Tony, 52, has been stationed at St Albans Fire Station for over 15 years.

He and his crew on Green Watch were among the first to arrive at the Hatfield rail disaster in 2000, and they also attended the Buncefield fuel depot blaze in Hemel Hempstead in 2005.

In 2009 Watch Commander Bates was awarded the HEART (Hertfordshire Excellence Achievement and Thanks) award for "Firefighter of the Year".

Tony recently married his long term partner Maxine and has two teenage daughters Tilly and Polly.

Based on information supplied by Maxine.