Former Darlington Firefighter Billy Hindmarsh (right) with son, Graham Hindmarsh, who is Crew Manager at Bishop Auckland.
It’s been 50 years since Darlington became part of the fire service that we know today.
Now, a father and son firefighting duo who have spent years serving the town have turned back the clock to see just how much has changed half a century later.
Billy and Graham Hindmarch are proud to say they have spent their careers working for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS).
Billy, 76, spent more than 24 years as a Firefighter in Darlington and served during the 1974 change of boundaries when County Durham and Darlington merged to create one service.
“I worked in the joinery trade for quite a few years, mainly in factories, but I got to the point where I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life,” Billy said.
“I always fancied joining the fire service, so I applied to Darlington and, fortunately, I got in!”
He continued: “It was a lot different working for the fire service in 1970 compared to what it is like now.
“It was a different job all together then.
“Darlington had a different and smaller station, and we didn’t have the standard of equipment that crews have got now.
“The new fire engines have a lot more room in the back and the front.
“We would also have to get road maps out to find locations.
“It has come on leaps and bounds. I think the other Firefighters I served with will be very impressed with it.”
Billy retired in 1994 and 15 years later his son, Graham, followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined the Service.
The 47-year-old was initially based in Darlington and worked on both White Watch and Blue Watch, before being promoted to Crew Manager on Bishop Auckland Blue Watch.
“I joined because my dad was a Firefighter and I had grown up being around the fire service - it was all I ever wanted to do,” Graham said.
“It is a practical job where you can help people and I get a great satisfaction from that.
“I am really proud to be following in my dad’s footsteps and being able to show him around the new Darlington fire station.”
While so much about the job has changed since then, one thing has remained the same for Billy and Graham – their passion for helping others.
“The best part of the job was being able to help people in everyday life - whether that’s fires, rescues, or car accidents,” Billy said.
“I remember rescuing three children from a house fire on Larchfield Street in Darlington.
“We went in wearing Breathing Apparatus and quickly put a ladder to the window and we passed them out one by one.
“That’s one of the things that has stuck with me.”
Graham added: “There aren’t as many fires these days as there would have been back in my dad’s day, thanks to smoke alarms and things like that.
“I have only ever experienced one rescue where I pulled someone out of a burning building.
“It doesn’t happen very often, but you train for that for years, so when it does, and you save someone’s life it is a great feeling.”
So, what does Billy miss the most about his time in the Service?
“The camaraderie amongst the crew,” he said.
“I made some very good mates in the job and still to this day we still get together every now and again.”
To mark the milestone year, the Service is holding and open day at Darlington Fire Station on Saturday, June 15 featuring demonstrations by Firefighters and Fire Cadets, as well as a vintage fire engine display.
