A FIREFIGHTER has answered his last “shout” after an impressive 30-year career in the service.

Richard Chamberlain lived his dream as a fireman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, plying his trade at Preston Circus station in London Road, Brighton, for the entirety of his career.

For the past 17 years he has been watch manager at the station.

Now, aged 53, he has decided to call it a day – but said the decision to retire was not easy.

He said: “Working as a firefighter has never felt like work to me.

“It gave me so much satisfaction serving the public, similar to what the police and ambulance services must feel.

“Now it feels very weird. I just feel like I’m on holiday and that I’ll be going in next week.

“I’m really going to miss it.”

Richard, originally from Coventry, dreamt of a career in the fire service, drawing inspiration from his grandfather who was a firefighter during the Blitz in the Second World War.

Since hearing tales from his grandfather, the father-of-two had his heart set on a career in the fire service.

He first applied to become a firefighter when he was 16, but was rejected due to his age.

However, he persisted and when he moved to Sussex in 1985 aged 23, his dream came true when he landed a job at Preston Circus fire station.

“Preston is seen as the pinnacle of all the fire stations in East Sussex because it’s the busiest,” Richard said. “I am lucky enough to have been one of those people who has been able to achieve what they want to do in life.”

Although firefighters can retire when they reach 60, Richard decided to finish at 53 so he could spend time with family and friends while still physically fit.

He said: “It was certainly a decision made with my head rather than my heart. It was really difficult.

“I did it for financial reasons and it means I can spend more time enjoying my retirement while I’m still fit.”

Richard, who was one of the members of the fire crew that battled the blaze which wrecked the Royal Albion Hotel in 1998, added that he will miss waking up in the morning and going to work with his team, who he has built strong bonds with over the years.

He said he will “definitely” be getting another job to keep him going, but nothing will compare to the buzz he got from pulling on his firefighter uniform.

“I will miss all my colleagues and hope they miss me,” he said.

“It has been a dream come true to be able to do this job.”