Watch Commander retires from Wick fire station after 36 years
Wick Community Fire Station's Watch Commander Colin Gunn has retired after more than 36 years in the fire and rescue service.
Colin, a self-employed painter and decorator, joined what was then the Highland and Islands Fire Brigade in 1986. He completed 36 years at the end of September, now with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
He was promoted to Leading Fire Fighter in June 2006 and became the Wick Community Fire Station Watch Commander in March 2020.
His last call-out was to a false alarm at Pulteney House care home, but in terms of actual fires he began and ended his career with vehicle fires.
His first-ever call-out was to a car fire in Wick and his last to a similar incident in Latheron.
Colin says he has enjoyed his years with the fire and rescue service and it will take him a wee while to get used to the fact he is no longer going to be dropping everything and responding to his pager. But he is looking forward to being able to go to bed and have an uninterrupted night's sleep.
On his last night on duty he was presented with gifts by his colleagues at Wick, and an official presentation dinner is being planned for the new year.
