The county’s fire service has announced plans to mark its 50th anniversary, after publishing a poem and a video celebrating South Yorkshire’s culture and heritage.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has released ‘South Yorkshire, our love’ in recognition of its five decades serving its communities.
The poem is voiced by Sheffield’s Lioness and world cup finalist Esme Morgan, with the music track performed by the South Yorkshire Police band- with the police also marking their 50th anniversary in 2024.
Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby, said: “Everyone at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is incredibly proud of our county’s heritage, culture and its people. Everyone who joins us does so because they hold a burning desire to help others. We feel honoured to have been doing that for almost 50 years now.”
“We’ve got lots of plans to celebrate our half century throughout 2024- from open days and fundraisers, to staff celebrations and a few surprises along the way. We’re really excited to involve local people in our plans as the year goes on.”
Professional firefighting in South Yorkshire dates back much longer than 50 years.
But it was at midnight of 31 March 1974 that the City of Sheffield Fire Brigade, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Fire Brigade, Rotherham Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Barnsley Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and the parts of the former West Riding Fire Brigade that lay with the new South Yorkshire boundary, became what was then known as South Yorkshire County Fire Service.
For more information and updates about the service’s 50th celebrations visit www.syfire.gov.uk, or find South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue on WhatsApp Channels.
ENDS