Dave Squires
Editor's Note: Weston-super-Mare is a town located on Bristol Channel in North Somerset, England. You editor found the following story on the local fire brigade's website. It's an inspiring tale about a local fire buff named Dave Squires.
Dave Squires first appeared outside the ‘Station’ in June 1983
(then aged 29 Years). He would walk up and down, looking at the Fire Station but
would suddenly disappear and return another day. The Firemen then had no
knowledge that Dave was un-employed and had Learning Difficulties. After several
weeks Jack Bell went out and invited Dave in.
Dave appeared to be very nervous and shy but was shown around
the Appliance Room before he made an excuse that he had to go home, and he was
gone.
Dave, however, continued to visit the Station and the Firemen
of White Watch warmed to this visitor.
Dave appeared to have little confidence and it took some
persuasion on the part of White Watch to get him to join them for a cup of tea
in the Mess Room on the 1st Floor. Whilst in the Mess Room there was
a two-pump and TL shout leaving just two of us on the Station with Dave. A
problem was apparent – Dave could not face going down the stairs and he froze
and began to panic. Dave had shown no outward problem when he climbed the stairs
but he was clearly not going to descend without help. It took the two of us -
fifteen minutes to coax Dave down the stairs, sat on his backside – one step at
a time. Later we found out that Dave lived in a Ground Floor Flat with
his parents and an Auntie. Dave continued his visits and was welcomed by all the
Watches on the Station. Dave never had a problem with the stairs again!
As time went on, Dave was given an old Lancer Fire Tunic,
Yellow Leggings, a Helmet and would be ‘allowed’ to ‘Man’ the Land Rover!
Eventually, he was given (all donated left-offs) shirts, trousers and cap. Dave
gradually became less shy, and his confidence building was not only apparent to
the Firemen but also to his family. So much so, that on the first Christmas,
Dave’s parents opened their home and invited all Station Personnel to join them
in a ‘drink’. Dave’s family were so grateful to the Firemen at Weston for all
their interest shown in Dave and for their encouragement in boosting Dave’s
confidence.
Early Spring 1984, (some eight or nine months after Dave’s
first visit to the Station) a Fireman by the nickname of ‘Scooter’ came on duty
one day clutching a local newspaper. ‘Scooter’ announced that there was a job in
the situations vacant column which would be ideal for young Dave. The situation
vacant was for a ‘trolley attendant’ at Leo’s Supermarket. The, then, Manager,
of Leo’s was known to the Firemen. He had kindly given his permission for our
Christmas Carol Float to be in attendance outside the Supermarket. The Firemen,
with their knowledge of Dave, were able to recommend that Dave be given a chance
to fill the vacancy, as they knew Dave to be reliable. Dave is still at the
Supermarket today!
For all the difficulties Dave has endured he has a wonderful
memory (which is more than can be said for a large majority of us Firemen). Dave
could remember where every piece of equipment belonged in the Appliance Lockers
and would, quite often, find items that we had mislaid.
Dave’s memory was put to the test. Watching a Fireman taking a
Drill in preparation for his Leading Fireman’s Exam, a fellow Fireman enquired
"do you want to have a go Dave"? Dave responded quickly and recited the
Drill instructions word for word.
Dave was working throughout the week but on Saturday and Sunday
evenings (Stand-down time) Dave was encouraged to take Parade and make out the
Duty Board – this he did efficiently and still does it today!
Dave’s presence on the Station was accepted by Senior Officers
throughout the Brigade!
Dave’s ‘help’ was never taken for granted and the Firemen
wanted to reward Dave for his outstanding achievements. So, off to HQ we went
and Dave witnessed a Recruits’ Passing Out Parade. This, Dave, thought to be a
great honour and he enjoyed himself immensely.
The years went on and Dave’s enthusiasm for the Fire Station
never failed.
In 1987, Dave’s mother passed away but Dave appeared to treat
his loss as a ‘a fact of Life’. Dave remained at home with his father and his
Auntie. Around 1999 Dave’s Auntie died and in January 2001 Dave’s father
died.
Dave, who was once introverted and protected by his loving and
supportive family now lives an independent life and is self-sufficient. Indeed
Dave copes with all his washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning as well as holding
down the same job. He finds time for recreation amidst all of the aforesaid
mentioned - he plays Skittles with the William Knowles Centre, he attends the
Winter Gardens (when Wrestling is taking place) and travels on Public Transport.
He even travels on Public Transport to places such as Bodmin in Cornwall where
he stays at a specially chosen Centre for his annual Holiday.
This is an encouraging story and shows that we are not put
on this earth to see through each other - BUT TO SEE EACH OTHER
THROUGH.
