Fond farewell to popular firefighter and Mounts historian Steve ‘Korky’ Corcoran

This week the Fire Service is bidding a fond farewell to Steve Corcoran, fondly known as Korky, who will be retiring after more than 35 years of sterling service.

Steve (pictured centre above) is the third generation of firefighter in his family, with his grandfather Patrick Corcoran serving as a firefighter in London during the blitz, and his father Kevin Corcoran (Korky Senior) serving 27 years wholetime in Northamptonshire. His wife, Claire, is also a serving wholetime firefighter at The Mounts.

Korky joined Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service in 1988, aged just 18, when he became an on-call firefighter at Towcester – going on to serve 13 years. In 1994 he started as a Ministry of Defence firefighter before leaving to join NFRS wholetime in November 2001.

Having been on Blue Watch ever since, he originally started at Corby, and sandwiched between two stints at Wellingborough, Steve served for 18 years at The Mounts.

During his time at The Mounts, Korky started to take a real interest in the building, becoming the official historian for the station (a role he will continue after retirement) and spearheading the campaign for it to become Grade II listed, a goal that was achieved in 2013 and helps to protect its future.

Steve, aged 55, said: “My father served at The Mounts, and so I have been going to the station since I was five years old. It’s a remarkable historical building which I’m incredibly passionate about, and it’s been a great station to work at as it’s probably the busiest in the county. Next year will be its 90^th anniversary since opening, so I want the help make sure we celebrate that next summer.”

Long standing colleagues gathered at The Mounts earlier this week to pay tribute to his long years of service ahead of what will be his final shift, at Wellingborough where he currently serves, this evening (June 14). Korky has also now agreed to become the official historian for Wellingborough Fire Station in addition to The Mounts.

Wellingborough Station Commander Dave Wilson was on hand to present him with his leaving statuette at the ceremony, and in return Korky presented the station at Wellingborough with a display to feature about Hannah Sparke, who became a local hero during the Great Fire of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire in 1738 when she prevented the church from going up in flames.

Reflecting on his decision to retire, Steve said: “I feel young at heart still but have to accept I’m at an age where it’s all becoming a bit more difficult. This is now an exciting time to step into a new chapter and spend more time with my family and do some travelling.

“I have worked with some fantastic people on all the Watches I have served on. You spend so much time with these people, whether it’s around the mess table or on shouts, and I have formed fantastic friendships that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.”

Commenting on his years of service, Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: “Steve has dedicated so many years of his life to keeping our communities safe and embodies everything good about the Fire & Rescue Service.

“Not just through his safety work, but through all the extra hours he has dedicated in his spare time to keeping our history alive and protecting our heritage.

“On behalf of everyone at the Service, I want to thank him for everything he has done and achieved in his career, and we wish him all the best for the future in his well-earned retirement.”