Three remarkable London Fire Brigade veterans have clocked up an astounding 150 years of combined service, with each dedicating 50 years to protecting the capital.
Station Commander Clive Robinson, Fire Safety Officer Steve Wood, and Fire Inspector Ray Pheasant have each marked a milestone few ever reach, reflecting on a lifetime of service filled with heroism, evolution, and camaraderie.
Clive Robinson: From Wool Tunics to Wildfires
Clive Robinson, one of the Brigade’s longest-serving operational staff members, took his final roll call at Shoreditch Fire Station this week, ahead of his retirement at the end of the month. He joined the Brigade in the 1970s, aged just 18, lured by the promise of 80 pence an hour—double what he earned at his local supermarket.
Reflecting on his five decades of service, Clive recounted a particularly poignant memory: rescuing a man from a burning building in the 1980s.
“We brought the man outside – he wasn’t conscious or breathing. His prognosis was not good,” Clive said. “A month or so later, we met his sister in a pub. She told us he survived. That was the best feeling in the world.”
Clive’s career has spanned some of London’s most challenging incidents—from IRA bombings on Oxford Street in the ‘70s to the unprecedented wildfires in Wennington and Dagenham in 2022, which he described as “a drive home I’ll never forget.”
He’s also witnessed major changes in firefighter gear—from woollen tunics and cork helmets to today’s high-tech protective equipment.
“Getting rid of the wool tunics was a big change. They’d been used since 1866. They were heavy when wet and I was glad to see them go!”
Clive also saw the service transform culturally, with the introduction of women on the frontline and a move towards a more diverse, inclusive Brigade.
Steve Wood: Fire Investigator with a Purpose
Steve Wood began his career at Islington Fire Station and has remained with the Brigade ever since. Now retiring from his post in the Central Regulatory Enforcement Group, which he helped establish, Steve says he found his greatest fulfilment as a fire investigator—a role he held for 14 years.
One of his most vivid memories is rescuing a woman trapped during the infamous 1987 Great Storm.
“The house was unstable, and we worked in dangerous conditions. We saved her life. That night showed what teamwork can achieve.”
Steve says it’s the people that kept him going for half a century.
“Every day you do something you love, is not work. I’ve made lifelong friends here, and that’s a big reason why I stayed so long.”
Ray Pheasant: A Lifelong Dream Realised
Ray Pheasant, who still works part-time as a fire safety inspecting officer at the age of 71, officially joined the Brigade in August 1974. His frontline years took him across London, with notable service as station manager at Clerkenwell, Enfield, and Ilford.
He was also involved in the initial response to the tragic Kings Cross fire in 1987, one of the worst disasters in the Tube’s history.
After 33 years on the frontline, Ray moved into fire safety, focusing on high-rise buildings in east London.
“At school, I dreamt about being a firefighter. I’m proud of my career. It’s not always easy, but knowing you’ve helped someone is the greatest reward.”
As these three men reflect on their half-century of service, their stories stand as a testament to the courage, resilience, and quiet dedication that define the London Fire Brigade.
From burning buildings to fire safety regulations, they’ve saved lives, shaped policy, and mentored countless others. Their legacies will long outlast their careers.
