Date: 13th March, 2025
In the year the late Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee, Keith Prince became an on-call firefighter in his home community of Cranborne.
Little did he know back on 4 October 1977 that he would still be in the job 47 years later, making him the longest serving on-call firefighter in Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – and one of the longest serving in the UK.
Keith was just shy of his nineteenth birthday when he joined his father Fred as a firefighter in Cranborne, and his younger brother Kevin also joined up a few years later.
All three served together for several years, including spending two nights at the merchant vessel EBN Magid fire in January 1986. The Liberian cargo ship caught fire in the English Channel and was towed into Portland Harbour, where crews from across Dorset tackled the blaze alongside Naval firefighters.
Keith has attended many big heath fires over the years, including the one at Wareham Forest in 2020, as well as multiple property fires, challenging thatch fires, aircraft incidents and numerous road traffic collisions – on each occasion helping people in danger or having the worst possible day.
Aside from incidents, Keith was one of the FRS volunteers who set up the Salisbury vaccination centre at the start of the Covid pandemic, and he also supported South Western Ambulance Service as a driver during this time.
Born and bred in Cranborne, Keith is now 66 and lives in the village with his wife Jill. They have two grown-up children, Stephanie and Robin, and five grandchildren.
While the time is right for him to hang up his fire kit for the last time, Keith would encourage others to join the fire service. He said: “Being part of the station team is like having another family. There’s a really good spirit and camaraderie, everyone has your back, and you can make a difference to the people you go out to help. Over the years, I’ve made friends for life, and there’s a real pride in what you do. I will miss it, but I want to have more free time to enjoy life while I’m still fit and healthy!”
Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole is attending Keith’s last drill night on 19 March to present him with his retirement certificate. He said: “Keith’s 47 years of service is an incredible achievement. Being an on-call firefighter isn’t just a job – it’s a commitment that affects every part of your life. Keith has been there for his community, balancing the demands of family, work, and responding to emergencies without hesitation for almost five decades.
“His dedication and attendance at some really significant incidents over the years has made a real difference, and his professionalism has set a standard I know many others have admired and aspired to match. On behalf of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the people of Cranborne, and the wider communities of Dorset, Wiltshire and neighbouring Hampshire, I want to thank Keith, Jill and their family for their unwavering support. We wish him a long and happy retirement, with plenty of time to enjoy life – without the interruption of a pager!”
There are still opportunities to become an on-call firefighter at Cranborne and other fire stations across Dorset and Wiltshire, please visit www.dwfire.org.uk/on-call-firefighters for more information.