Control Support Manager Robin Salter.
Robin, 62, grew up in Loughborough, Leicestershire and has worked for us for 20 years.
Talking about his career before the Fire Service, Robin said: “After completing my A Levels, I joined Nat West Bank - remaining there for seven years. I then moved to London, working for a hand printed fabrics/wallpaper company.
"After a few years I then worked for a specialist record shop in Islington, where I was responsible for the worldwide mail order operation.”
Growing up, Robin wanted nothing more than to trade in rare soul records! And that dream became reality in 1992, when he moved to the North East and opened his own record shop.
“My shop was based in Middlesbrough and called ‘New Groove,'" he said.
"I specialised in imported Deep House records and ran three record labels. As you can imagine, this was a very fast moving and exciting time for me.
“After a few years, I felt the need for a more stable career and joined North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue as a Control Operator in 1998. I loved the job and quickly achieved a Crew Manager position.
“I transferred into CDDFRS in 2004 and have never looked back.”
Robin has worked on multiple watches in control over the years; starting in Red Watch as a Crew Manager and later transferring to Blue Watch in 2017, following his promotion to Watch Manager.
Robin also covered the Training and Support Manager role between 2012 to 2015.
But more recently, Robin has been working in the role of Control Support Manager, which involves providing support in the control room when needed, training new recruits, overseeing the administration of the function and working on Fire Control Room Collaboration projects.
Talking about his highlights, he said: “I have delivered two training courses recently, and although these courses are very demanding on both trainee and trainer, it is so satisfying to see new recruits evolve into assured emergency call handlers and watch all the jigsaw pieces come together.”
In November 2023, Robin took the opportunity to partially hang up his headset and flexibly retire, he said: “I am really enjoying the change of pace, particularly not working nightshifts!”
Outside of the Control Room, Robin can be found relaxing at home with wife, Michelle, and son, Harvey.
A lover of football and keen fisherman, he enjoys attending the matches of his favourite team, Leicester City, and pursuing specimen barbel on Yorkshire spate rivers.
And let’s not forgot of course, cultivating his ever-expanding record collection!
