Retirement of Station Officer Martin Lawton, Cork City Fire Brigade

Photograph: Finbarr Archer of The Douglas Weekly.

Station Officer Martin Lawton and his wife Alda at Cork City Fire Brigade Headquarters with the Cork City Fire Brigade-Togher Pipe Band who performedfor his retirement.

Station Officer Martin Lawton retired recently from the Cork City Fire Brigade having served the people of Cork for almost 33 years. Martin started his career with the brigade on the 7th of May 1973 and served with Red Watch until May 1975 when a new shift system was introduced at the Sullivans Quay Fire Station. Prior to this date there were three watches in operation in the brigade namely Red, Green and Blue. Martin was moved to the new watch called Amber on its inception where he remained for many years.

Photograph: Finbarr Archer of The Douglas Weekly.

Chief Fire Officer John Ryan, 3rd Officer Michael O'Flynn and 2nd Officer Denis Mulcahy make a presentation of a Carving of a Fire Helmet to Station Officer Martin Lawton.

Martin took a keen interest in Union affairs within the brigade and he was Chairman of the section committee for a number of years. Martin worked tirelessly for the benefit of the members of the brigade in this capacity. Martin was also appointed for a period to the Fire Services Council by the Minister for The Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Fire Services Council is instrumental in setting up National training whereby Officers are taught new skills in dealing with RTA’s (Road Traffic Accidents), Search and Rescue procedures, Chemical Incidents, etc.

Very often Martin would be seen taking the early morning train to Dublin City to attend these meetings that would eventually lead to the Training System that is in place in all brigades in Ireland today. All of this outstanding work Martin undertook outside of his fire duty commitments in a quiet and unassuming manner.

Martin was indeed very happy when his son-in-law Michael Ryan was appointed to Amber Watch in 2000. Michael is married to Martin’s Daughter Fiona and they have two sons, Seamus and Fintan. Martin was particularly proud when his Son Martin Jnr. was appointed to Amber Watch in 2005. Martin retired with the rank of Station Officer/Acting Third Officer and has spent the last number of years of his career with Green Watch.

Photograph: Finbarr Archer of The Douglas Weekly.

The Family, back row l-r: Blanch Bermingham, Margaret Bermingham, Firefighter Michael Ryan, Firefighter Martin Lawton Jnr., Deirdra Cronin and Jim Kelleher.

Front row l-r: Deirdra Lawton, Seamus Ryan, Alda Lawton, Martin Lawton, Fintan Ryan and Fiona Ryan.

Union Section Committee Chairman, Firefighter Noel Heaney, spoke eloquently of Martin’s dedication to the job and his deep devotion to all matters pertaining to the Union Committee and the Fire Services Council. The Chairman also stated that Martin went about the business of making our conditions and work practices better and safer and that the firefighters of today owed him a deep debt of gratitude.

Chief Fire Officer John Ryan thanked Marin for his outstanding service to the brigade and to the people of Cork. He stated that Martin undertook his duties both as Firefighter and Officer with honour and dedication and he wished both Martin and his wife Alda many, many years of happiness in his retirement.

Photograph: Finbarr Archer of The Douglas Weekly.

Station Officer Martin Lawton calls the Parade to attention onhis last official duty for Cork City Fire Brigade.

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