On Thursday, 4 July 2024, past and present staff, special guests, dignitaries, Fire Authority members, and volunteers gathered at Saltdean Lido in East Sussex for a milestone celebration and afternoon of history commemorating the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS).
Following the Local Government Act 1972, the three County Borough Brigades of Brighton, Eastbourne, and Hastings merged with East Sussex Fire Brigade to form East Sussex County Fire Brigade on 1 April 1974. While professional firefighting in East Sussex dates back much longer, this significant milestone marked changes that enhanced fire safety and service for the communities of East Sussex.
Connection to Saltdean Lido
During World War II, The Ocean Hotel in Saltdean was used by the Fire Service and later became the National Fire Service College. The pool at the Lido served as a water tank for training purposes until the end of the war. The hotel briefly served as the headquarters of the newly-formed East Sussex Fire Brigade in 1948 until the premises in King Henry’s Road, Lewes were acquired. In 2023, firefighters returned for rescue training at Saltdean Lido for the first time since the war. The Lido, iconic to Saltdean and East Sussex, has a history intertwined with both the East Sussex Fire Rescue Service and the national Fire Service, making it an ideal venue for this meaningful occasion.
Guests and Speakers
The event was made extra special by the attendance of Eric Whitaker, who was the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of East Sussex Fire Brigade from 1970 to 1984 and oversaw the change 50 years ago. Peter Holland, Chief Inspector for the Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate and former Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser for the government, shared his family history with the Fire Service and the Lido when it was used as a National Fire Service College Training facility.
Bruce Hoad, a significant contributor to the Fire Service and now a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters, gave a memorable speech about the history of the Service. He discussed various artefacts, including the famous Harvey’s Brewery Firecracker Ale, and honored those who have been lost and those who continue to serve their communities today.
The event also featured a display of memorabilia donated by Peter Holland, Bruce Hoad, Mike Garrett (whose father served at Wadhurst), and ESFRS’s own Guy Bowes. Station Manager Keith Morris and Rohan Jayasekera from Bexhill Museum attended to discuss the Merryweather restoration project for the 1895 horse-drawn historic steam fire engine. In 1984, CFO Eric Whitaker agreed to loan the Merryweather to the Fire Service National Museum Trust, and ESFRS was delighted to bring the Merryweather back to the County in 2023.
The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Telscombe Councillor Isobel Sharkey, Chair and Members of the Fire Authority, and previous Chief Fire Officers Des Prichard and Gary Walsh were also in attendance. CFO Dawn Whittaker gave special mentions to Roger Easey, who is in his 50th year of service, and Graham Wilton, the first Retained Firefighter appointed following the amalgamation of the Brigades in 1974.
CFO Dawn Whittaker, Deputy Chief Fire Officer David Norris, and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mark Matthews all expressed their gratitude to the speakers and attendees, emphasizing the importance of preserving and celebrating this milestone.
CFO Dawn Whittaker said: “We are very proud of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and our rich history of serving the communities of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. Our history is hugely important. It forms the strength of our roots and also, as leaders, we all have a duty and privilege to be custodians of it. I was thrilled to host the event and welcome guests to mark this important milestone and thank everyone for their participation and continued support of our Service.”
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