Sopha’s DSFRS Certificate of Appreciation

Opened in 1981, the Burnham-on-Sea fire station has been protecting and serving the seaside town, its surrounding villages and beyond for over 40 years. We are very proud to say our store manager Kevin, who has been retained in the force for five years, is on call to protect the community throughout his working hours at Sopha, for which we have been awarded a certificate of appreciation.

Operational readiness manager Nathan Brina and station commander Ian Hazelton presented us with the award on a chilly Tuesday morning in December, with directors Matt and Emily in receipt alongside their son Ted and team member Emma, in recognition of our contribution to the local community by releasing Kevin to the Burnham crew as an on-call firefighter. This means that whenever his pager beeps (and sometimes he is serving customers at the time!), he is able to dash out of the door as part of an emergency response, kitting up and leaving the station with the rest of the crew in under five minutes.

Director Emily said “Matt and I are so proud of all our team and what they do for and in the community. I don’t know where we would be without these amazing people.” 2021 was the busiest year for the Burnham-on-Sea fire station since 2003 with an astonishing 18,798 call outs across the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. 2022 is sure to be another busy year for the crew and they have our full support.