One of London’s first black firefighters gets long service’ award
ONE of London’s first black firefighters has been presented with a Long Service award by the Fire Commissioner after 20 years serving in East London. Leslie Bowman quit a secure office job to join the London Fire Brigade in 1989
ONE of London's first black firefighters has been presented with a Long Service award by the Fire Commissioner after 20 years serving in East London.
Leslie Bowman quit the comforts of a secure office job to join the London Fire Brigade in 1989.
"I was a bit anxious as I was one of the few black firefighters joining the Brigade at that time," he recalls. "I had a good nine-to-five office job, but wanted to do something more for the community."
Les has been assigned to several fire stations in his 20 years, including Whitechapel, Barking and now Kingsland in Dalston where he is station manager. He also spent five years in the Brigade's Southwark HQ promoting equality and diversity.
You may also want to watch:
"One day I can be tackling fire in a garage full of gas cylinders and another be visiting people's homes checking their fire alarms," he added.
"I wouldn't have imagined 20 years ago going into schools to encourage girls to consider becoming firefighters. But now London has more than 200 women firefighters."
Most Read
- 1 The Queen lends her name to Royal London’s emergency Covid wards
- 2 Death of woman, 75, in Mile End fire could have been avoided
- 3 That's so raven: Everything you need to know about the guardians of the Tower
- 4 Airbnb house party violence leaves police officer with broken finger
- 5 Police hunt after stabbing in Cable Street: One man hurt
- 6 Tribute to 7th Barts Health Trust worker to die of Covid-19
- 7 Teenager found dead in Victoria Park
- 8 Driver arrested after police 'drugs patrol' stops car in Whitechapel
- 9 Doctors urge Tower Hamlets mayor to end support for Silvertown Tunnel
- 10 'We need laptops for lockdown children to learn from home’ Tower Hamlets mayor urges
Leslie was presented with his award by Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson at a ceremony at the brigade's Southwark training centre.