KFRS’ Chief Executive Ann Millington said: “Paul was one of a kind, and he devoted 50 years of his life to keeping people safe through firefighting and fire engineering.

“He was awarded an MBE in June 2022, and that was such an honour for him, but even in that moment he credited others who he’d worked alongside. He was a humble and caring man, who made an enormous contribution to the fire and rescue sector”.

Jon Quinn, KFRS’ Director of Protection, Prevention and Engagement, added: “Paul was an expert in his field. He worked tirelessly to improve fire safety, pioneering new operational tactics and challenging thinking to ensure a safer built environment.

“Paul was so determined to make the world a safer place, constantly looking at ways to improve guidance, building design, and the way we respond to fires. His work has undoubtedly saved countless lives.

“He leaves an incredible legacy, and everyone at Kent Fire and Rescue Service will miss him greatly, as a friend and a dedicated colleague.”

Paul’s early career

Paul (71), married to Lorraine and a father-of-two, joined London Fire Brigade aged 18 in 1971, after applying since he was 15 years old - even for the role of station cook (despite not knowing a single recipe) to get his foot in the door. At the time he was London’s youngest ever firefighter and served in the capital for 27 years.

In the early part of his career, Paul took part in a series of detachments across America, where he studied high rise tactics and started to write articles about the subject. He went on to publish a series of books, such as Fog Attack and Euro Firefighter, which became sources of reference and part of the syllabus for firefighters.

He donated all royalties from his books to RAFT (Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust) and the Katie Piper Foundation, enabling two patients to trial a new rehabilitation centre for adult survivors of burns.

Paul’s commitment to helping people also went beyond the fire ground, and in the early 1990s he volunteered to provide aid for civilian victims in Iraq and Bosnia.

Joining Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Paul joined KFRS as principal fire engineer in 2009, bringing with him his wealth of knowledge and expertise gained from working with several international fire services.

Throughout his 15-year career in Kent, he helped to shape firefighting procedures, fire engineering strategies, and developed a range of revolutionary defences which have been adopted by fire services across the world – many of which were trialled in the county.

Some of the concepts spearheaded by Paul and tested in Kent include:  

• A tactical stairwell protection policy to ensure a safe exit route in the event of a fire at a residential tower block, and a decision-making policy for officers-in-charge that prioritises early evacuation, if needed.  
• Water flowrates research, leading to the introduction of larger diameter hose reels onto Kent’s fleet, reducing building damage in a fire.

‘I’m lucky to do a job that I love’

From saving lives as a young firefighter in London, to saving lives through fire engineering innovation half a decade on, Paul adored his work.

When talking about his role at KFRS in 2020, Paul said: “I consider myself lucky to do a job that I love, even after nearly 50 years. It’s an industry that’s ever-changing but with still the same purpose - to protect and prevent.”