Long-serving Maldon firefighter ‘hangs up his helmet’ after almost half a century of service to the community
By Ben Shahrabi
25th Jul 2023 | Local News
A long-serving Maldon firefighter has retired, after 47 years spent saving lives alongside colleagues at Maldon Fire Station.
Martin Cable, 65, joined what was then known as the Essex County Fire Brigade in 1975, aged 18.
A spokesperson for Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS) said: "The entire crew from Maldon, old and new, along with colleagues from surrounding stations and the wider ECFRS community, would like to say an enormous 'thank you' and 'good luck' for the future.
"We hope you enjoy your retirement."
Until recently, the local hero provided 120 hours of fire cover every week to rescue those in danger. Alongside his lifesaving Fire Service career, Martin worked full-time as a local milkman.
In 1985, he was promoted to leading firefighter. He then became Sub-Officer in 1986 and later Station Officer in 1989. Finally, Martin's dedicated service to the community promoted him to the position of Watch Manager, overseeing a crew of more than 20 firefighters at the Wycke Hill station.
In 2021, Martin received the British Empire Medal in recognition of his long service, in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honours List. More recently, he was one of a few remarkable Maldon residents invited to the Coronation of King Charles III.
On learning he had been awarded the New Year honour, Martin said: "It has been a great privilege to serve my local community for all these years and I feel really privileged to have been recognised in this way."
He also received a fire service Special Award to celebrate his 40 years of service to the town, in 2021.
Last Saturday (July 22), current and former firefighting colleagues met to raise a glass to Martin as he hung up his helmet for the final time. Crew Manager Nick Trice presented Martin with a framed photograph of the then new Maldon Fire Station, taken in 1997, along with long service ribbons and a BA Tally.
After nearly half a century of tireless service, Martin can now enjoy his well-earned retirement.
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