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Long-serving Diss firefighter set to bow out after 42-year service




The longest serving station manager in Diss Fire Station’s history is set to retire at the end of this month – 42 years to the day after he joined.

Karl Hain, who has been in charge of the station for 26 years, will leave the Park Road site for the last time on April 30.

The 60-year-old became a became a firefighter after his uncle and then Diss station manager Mick Scoulding asked him to join up when he was 18.

Diss Station Manager Karl Hain is retiring after 42 years of serving his hometown. Picture: Mark Bullimore
Diss Station Manager Karl Hain is retiring after 42 years of serving his hometown. Picture: Mark Bullimore

“I was working for Barric Limited at the time, where I had work since I was 16 and he said ‘how about it?’,” said Mr Hain, who lives with his wife, Sarah, in Champneys Road.

“I joined the station on April 28, 1982, and have been there ever since.”

Having joined as a retained firefighter, Mr Hain became a lead fireman in 1991 and then sub officer in 1996, before finally taking over as watch manager from his uncle on November 1, 1997.

Karl joined Diss Fire Service on April 28, 1982. Picture: Mark Bullimore
Karl joined Diss Fire Service on April 28, 1982. Picture: Mark Bullimore

Asked how the fire service had changed during his 40-plus-year career, he said: “It has totally changed for me. I often say to the guys that the only thing that is the same from when I first joined is that the fire engines are still red.

“Everything else, from how we work to what we work with, has completely changed beyond recognition.”

On top of being watch manager at Diss, Mr Hain holds the same role at Thetford Fire Station, having joined as a member of the day crew in 2012 – a role he will retain when he leaves his hometown station.

Having attended thousands of incidents in his time, there are two that stick out for the firefighter.

Karl is also watch manager at Thetford Fire Station – a role he will retain when he leaves his hometown station. Picture: Mark Bullimore
Karl is also watch manager at Thetford Fire Station – a role he will retain when he leaves his hometown station. Picture: Mark Bullimore

He said: “There was a massive fire on May 13, 1984, in Thetford Forest and the other was the Center Parcs fire on April 4, 2002.”

Mr Hain called it a “great honour and privilege” to have served his community. Although it has been hard work at times, he said he had always loved the challenge.

“It has been great – that is why I have done it for 42 years,” he said.

“I feel it has been me putting something back into my community and doing my bit.

“There is no greater feeling than helping someone out there that needs you – it has been an amazing and rewarding job.”

He will be replaced at Diss by Rob Powell, whom Mr Hain said he had great respect for.

“Rob will do a great job,” he told the Diss Express. “He is a well-respected member of the crew and he will really push Diss on. I could not be leaving the station in better hands.

“I am going to miss the guys here. We train every week and take on all sorts of calls. They are a great bunch and we get on really well.”

Mr Hain said he would be using his retirement to spend time with his family, which includes his son Connor, daughter Jordan and granddaughter Anais.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone for having me at Diss for so long and for the support I had while I was there – I could not have done it without everyone,” he added.

“My family have been the biggest support with my career; they have grown up with me in the fire service and have known nothing else. So I want to spend more time with them as none of us are getting any younger.”



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