A FIREFIGHTER has been awarded for more than 30 years of service.

Crew manager Walter Hood was presented the long service award for his time at New Cross fire station, at a ceremony at the London Fire Brigade’s Southwark training centre, on January 15.

The 51-year-old joined the brigade in 1978 and says it is difficult to single out a favourite moment.

He said: “The job to me is still about helping people but now there is a greater emphasise on fire safety.

“Unfortunately the most memorable fires are normally for the wrong reasons where someone has died or been seriously injured.

“Another call out I remember is rescuing a gerbil that was trapped in its cage.

“It shows the importance of treating each incident with respect because to the children we were heroes.”