A long-serving firefighter who began his career as a 19-year-old in 1986 has retired after rising to become our highest ranking fire officer.

Sean Bone-Knell joined Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) two years after being told he had missed the window to apply, and began his path to the top in Thanet where he served for seven years.

The married father-of-two later went on to work right across Kent, the stations of Medway (now Chatham), Canterbury and Dover and thenMaidstone HQ during his leadership years.

As he went off duty for the final time he reflected on how things had changed since his first shift all those years ago.

"The fire service has come a long way in my time," he said. "The personal protective equipment our firefighters wear now is so good, but when I joined it was rubber boots, plastic leggings, a wool tunic, cork helmet and gardening gloves.

"Your ears were your temperature gauge and when the tips of your ears started to burn it was time to either get down or get out.

"We didn’t used to have mobile technology so no sat navs, mobile phones or mobile data terminals.

"It was all paper based and learning your station ground was crucial, with regular night shift sessions on topography learning short cuts and small roads we might not have known existed, to help us reach people in need more quickly."

Called to countless incidents over the years, he remembered those moments that had stayed with him to this day.

He said: "Attending a house fire where two children died will stay with me forever. That really made me think about what is precious in life and how we must ensure we teach children fire safety in the home, as the fire started in a truly preventable way.

"I attended a collapsed building in Ramsgate early in my career and that was where I had my first experience of carrying out CPR on a poor soul who had been crushed under the masonry. Sadly, he died and that will always stay with me.

"Working during the Great Storm on 1987 was truly an unforgettable experience. I was working the height vehicle and we spent all day repairing roofs and taking down unstable chimney pots.

"For many weeks after we had a large list of incidents to go out to every day and it gave us experience working in some really tricky situations."

"Working during the Great Storm on 1987 was truly an unforgettable experience..."

Last year Mr Bone-Knell was honoured for his long service to the county when presented with the prestigious Kent Medal in what he described as "a truly moving moment". The award is a rare accolade recognising outstanding service and commitment to KFRS and the wider community.

Beyond Kent he also held roles as part of the National Fire Chief’s Council - Marine Firefighting Lead Officer, Road Safety Lead Officer, and Dementia Lead Officer - which allowed him to influence national policy and make a difference right across the country.

Now he plans to take up an associate inspector post with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, and hopefully spending more time with his family and on the golf course.

"To the Kent community I’d like to say thank you for supporting Kent Fire and Rescue Service," he said. "And I truly hope if you’ve ever required our services that we have assisted you well. I truly believe you have a fire and rescue service to be proud of."

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