Page 49 - Archived Back Issues

The Worshipful Company of Firefighters
“Fighting Fire, Our Trust in G od”
Coming of Age
The Worshipful Company of Firefighters was first registered at Guildhall as a Guild in June 1988. In celebrating our first 21 years ,
our Master Geoff Morgan reflects on our progress.
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As one of the modern companies we haven’t quite yet achieved the ancient history of some Livery Companies which trace their origins back to the 12th or 13th
centuries. However our profession dates back to Roman times, when Vigiles carried out the critical role of fire watching, so vital for a city built of wooden structures.
Having attained the age of 21 both with and without Livery, and as we consider the future of our Company, I, as Master, would like to share with you on what I would like to achieve during my year of office.
I would like to see the enjoyment, which is associated with celebrations, inherent in
everything we do; in our social events, at our formal occasions, in our business matters
and in all our interactions. Let the underlying sentiment of everything we do be of enjoyment, satisfaction, fulfilment and fel- lowship.
How will we achieve this? - We have a new and exciting structure for the next phase of our post-21 development which I am very enthusiastic about. The Court will remain as it is, acting as the governing body for the Company, but we are bringing into being a new Management Board. It includes the Wardens, some Past Masters as well as the Honorary Treasurer and Chair of Trustees. The Clerk will officiate at meetings and will take a pivotal role akin to a General Manager for the Company. Three Standing Committees and three Working groups will be directly responsible to the Management Board and I am delighted to report that four Past Masters, including the Founder Master, will also serve on the Board. In addition nine people who Chair or Vice Chair other committees or working groups will be involved. It’s a good start with an excellent mix of experience and knowledge. Our work begins immediately.
As for the future, I would like to see us focus on expanding our membership; increasing our involvement with livery and the City of London and ensuring that we are a financially strong and stable Company.
To do this, we will continue to promote our profile in a positive fashion; we will widen our media exposure and, as is said nowadays, build “our brand”. We have many good things to offer and we will do this with enthusiasm and conviction. We will strive to share our ideals with other like minded people in the wider world of fire fighting who have similar interests, experience and expertise.
In pursuit of our charitable activities, the welfare of people and communities has been a core feature of Livery Companies for centuries. This is also at the heart of the Fire and Rescue Service and of the people who work in it. Education and training are priorities; these are fundamentals for any livery company and I would like to see us build on our recent initiatives by extending our activities into new and beneficial areas. By doing so, the character and nature of our Company will really show through at our events - whether they are informal or formal. Let them be happy, social, interesting, rewarding and most of all, demonstrate the strength and warmth of our fellowship.
Throughout my year of office, I will wear the Master’s chain with pride and, as I swore at my installation, it will be in Service, Fellowship, Harmony and Honour. I look forward to sharing a wonderful year with you all.
Geoff Morgan, Master
The Master of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters. Geoff Morgan
Visit our website at: www.firefighterscompany.org