Firefighters Steve Uggles, Tony Fox, Steve Smart and Mark Skinner

A Sheppey firefighter has been awarded a medal for 20 years of service to what he calls the best job in the world.

Tony Fox, of Sheerness, was presented with the honour during a ceremony at The Royal Hotel, Broadway, Sheerness, on Friday evening.

Over 100 guests attended, including the 45-year-old’s wife Carrie and 18-year-old daughter Danielle, friends, family, and retired former colleagues.

Sheppey crew members paraded in full uniform and assembled a guard of honour before area manager Steve Jeffery presented Mr Fox with his medal.

The born and bred Islander, who is watch manager at Sheppey Fire Station, has actually been a fireman for 21 years, joining in 1992.

Medals are normally awarded in the 21st year of service.

He had been working for seatbelt manufacturer Klippan in Sittingbourne at the time.

Mr Fox said: “I was getting a bit bored. One of the guys was a fireman up in London and he said: ‘Have you thought of looking at joining the fire service?’

“There was an advert in the paper that August, I applied and I was lucky enough to get through.”

He first served at Thames Side Fire Station, Northfleet, but transferred to Sheppey after five months due to staff shortages, although he had always intended to make the move.

He worked his way up to the rank of leading firefighter in 1998 and took on his current role in 2007.

Looking back on more than two decades Mr Fox said the things he has enjoyed most are: “The camaraderie of the guys. Working as a team being able to serve the local community.”

Mr Fox added: “It is nice that you can make a difference.

“Now and again, not very often, but now and again, the intervention you have made has maybe saved a property or saved a life.

“I have been to a few incidents that have been challenging ones like fires at friends’ houses.

“Some of the ones that you really remember are the standard house fires which although they are not huge jobs, they mean a lot to the person involved.

“That is more rewarding than going to a big company or a huge fire.”