Statement from Matt Wrack, FBU General Secretary
Paul Fletcher
It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that in the early hours of Monday morning Brother Paul Fletcher, of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, collapsed and died whilst attending an incident.
Paul was recently elected as Chair of the Southern Region of the Fire Brigades Union, following on from the role of Region 12 ULR coordinator. He had started this position two years into the project, but he quickly progressed the Southern Region to the fore.
He was instrumental in assisting the Isle of Wight to become the first F&RS in the UK to achieve the Go Fire Award. In the process he won the Local Government Go Award ULR of the Year. He was also due to collect an award at the Learndirect ceremony in October.
With all this work he made many friends both in and outside of the Fire and Rescue Community. Paul had the unique ability to win the respect of trade unionists and Chief Officers.
Paul’s funeral will take place on the Isle of Wight on Wednesday 9th September at 1.30pm; anyone seeking any further information please contact the Regional Office.
Tragically Paul leaves a wife, daughter aged seven and son aged four. He will be deeply missed by all who came into contact with him and our heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends.
A book of condolence has now been set up, and can be accessed via the following web address www.paulfletchermemorialfund.org.uk
The Union has set up a memorial fund, the details are below. The account will be administered by local officials.
Name of Fund: Paul Fletcher Memorial Fund
Name of Bank: Unity Trust Bank PLC
Account Number: 33018807
Sort Code: 08-60-01
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
MATT WRACK
GENERAL SECRETARY
Funeral arrangements
Paul will be given a Fire Service funeral on 9 September, at the Minster Church of Saints Thomas, St. Thomas Square, Newport, Isle of Wight. The funeral service will start promptly at 13:30 hrs.
As a mark of respect, and following a request from his family, the County Hall flag will fly at half mast on this day.
‘Parade up’ / Lining the route
This will run from Newport Fire Station to the church. Those wishing to take part are asked to be at Newport Fire Station from 12:15 to 12:45.
The rendezvous point for those who wish to park in Newport, will be St. George’s Park, St. George’s Way, Newport PO30 2QH. It is a 15 minute walk from here to Newport Fire Station. For those who do not wish to walk, a shuttle bus service will be provided from the car park from 11:30 hrs.
The dress code is to be confirmed.
Travel and accommodation
Detailed travel and accommodation information can be found by following this link to the Isle of Wight Council website.
If you are travelling from Portsmouth (to Fishbourne), the ferry company is Wightlink. Wightlink’s telephone number for bookings and further information is 0871 376 1000.
For those travelling from Southampton, the ferry company is Red Funnel. Red Funnel runs a car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes, and a foot passenger service (the Red Jet) to West Cowes. The telephone number for bookings and further information is 0844 844 9988.
Those wishing to book a hotel in Newport may wish to contact either Premier Inn or Travelodge.
www.premierinn.com Seaclose, Fairlee Road, Newport PO30 2DN. Tel. 0870 197 7144.
www.travelodge.co.uk Lugley Street, Newport PO30 5HE. Tel. 0871 984 6348.
If you require any further information about the Island, the telephone number for Tourist Information is 01983 813818. They also offer an accommodation booking service on 01983 813813.
Tribute Paid to Isle of Wight Firefighter Paul Fletcher
Isle of Wight Council/Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Press Release, 24/08/2009
The Isle of Wight’s Chief Fire Officer has paid tribute to Crew Manager Paul Fletcher who died in the early hours of this morning (Monday 24).
Father-of-two Mr Fletcher was pronounced dead at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, shortly after attending a call to the nearby HM Prison, Isle of Wight, an incident which turned out to be a false alarm.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Street said Mr Fletcher, 39, of Newchurch, had been a credit to himself and the service since joining in April 2004.
“Paul cared passionately about the service and about serving Island residents,” Mr Street said.
“He distinguished himself in several areas notably training where his work was of such high quality that earlier this year he received the GO Union Learning Representative of the Year Award.
“In addition Paul played an active role in the rapid improvement of the service in recent years and was enthusiastic about continuing that improvement through the Model for Change Project.
“Paul was also very active and highly successful in working with the Fire Brigades Union nationally, regionally and locally starting as brigade secretary and moving on to the post of regional chairman.
“Paul will be sadly missed as both a colleague and a friend.”
Mr Fletcher joined the IW Fire and Rescue Service in April 2004 as a fire-fighter, having served previously with the police. He became a crew manager in May this year.
He leaves a wife Lisa and two children, a daughter of seven and a son of four.
Police, who are carrying out an investigation on behalf of the IW Coroner, confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious.
source: http://www.iwight.com/home/pressReleases/frmView.aspx?prId=788
Related links:
Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service
Book of Condolence now open
The book of condolence for Paul is now online:
Book of Condolence for Paul Fletcher
Related link:
