Community focused fire officer celebrated after three-decade career

12/02/2026

A glittering firefighting career was celebrated this week as Station Commander Paul Clarke retired from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

After more than three decades of serving the community in various roles across the Service, Paul was joined by his family and colleagues to say a fond farewell on his 55th birthday.

Following in his dad’s footsteps, Paul began his career as an on-call firefighter at Burwell Fire Station in 1991 before moving to Cambridge Fire Station as a wholetime firefighter in 1995. He climbed the ranks and became a station commander, spending ten years as a Fire Safety Officer before taking charge of St Neots Fire Station, as well as managing the on-call crews at St Ives, Sutton, Linton and Burwell.

Paul found his home in the community prevention team where he was a community risk manager and finished his career in charge of road and water safety and children/young people intervention. During this time Paul achieved many things, including leading the introduction of safe and well visits to vulnerable people, older driver workshops, throwline stations at various river locations and growing the exceptional Firebreak intervention for young people. He has also been the Service’s LGBTQ+ champion for the last seven years.

Paul said: “In 34 years I’ve worked with so many incredible people across the Service. I would just like to say that all of them, regardless of whether they are operational, fire control operators or our superb team of support colleagues play a key role in making the residents across the county as safe and supported as possible. I will miss working with them all.

“As well as the people I’ve worked with, the best part of the job has been waking up every day committed to making a difference, whether that be assisting those most at need in a crisis professionally and compassionately or working with colleagues and partners to develop ways we can collectively support those most at need in our communities.

“There have been many highlights over the years, but two particular things come to mind. Representing the Service at the Remembrance Day parade at the Cenotaph in London and also being recognised for our work with vulnerable young people by a local MP in the Houses of Parliament.”

He added: “I couldn’t have done the things I’ve done in the Service without my wife Stacey, who has been an incredible support over the last 30 years. My children Evie and Archie have also been incredibly patient on birthdays, Christmases, family meals, or just waiting for me to get back from a shout, so we can watch whatever series we were into at that time.”

Paul was presented with his firefighting figurine by Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren in front of his family and many colleagues and partners at Fire Service HQ on Tuesday. He finished his final shift riding the fire engine with the current Cambridge White Watch, the watch he began his wholetime career with in 1995.

Matthew said: “Paul has always strived to make people’s lives better. Not only those who are the most vulnerable in our communities, but also for colleagues across the Service. He is all about people and his selfless drive to help and support over the last 34 years is something he can be truly proud of.

“We are all really going to miss Paul as he leaves big shoes to fill. We wish him all the best in his well deserved retirement.”

Over the last 30 years, Paul has seen many changes to the Service. He said: “In such a long career there will be lots of changes. Some more positively received than others. I would say that the move towards a prevention focus has been one of the most positive changes, especially the development of a risk based approach to prevention activities, such as smoke alarm fitting, ensuring we are focusing on those who need the support the most. Also the development of our youth engagement support work has been a privilege to be involved with.

“Whilst I’ve attended some horrific incidents, I’ve always been able to provide a calming influence and being able to mentor new or inexperienced incident commanders is something I will really miss.”

Paul plans to continue helping people following his retirement.

He said: “I’m very proud to say that as a family we will become foster carers this year. Supporting vulnerable young people is so important to us and this is a great way of continuing to provide that support.

Paul concluded: “It has been my greatest privilege to serve the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for the last 34 years. I know I will really miss the job and the people but knowing I’ve made a positive impact will always be something I’ll look back on with immense pride.”

Paul began his career with the Service as an on-call firefighter at Burwell Fire Station. We are always looking to recruit more on-call firefighters at stations around the county that can respond to emergencies around other commitments. Find out more in our Careers section.