Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is celebrating a remarkable family legacy at Llandrindod Wells Fire Station, where three fathers serve alongside their sons as On-Call Firefighters.
From left to right: Connor and Paul Treacy, Fin and Mark 'Dom' Hughes, and Richard and Brad Phillips.
Together, Paul and Connor Treacy, Mark 'Dom' and Fin Hughes, and Richard and Brad Phillips have dedicated more than 73 years of service to protecting their communities, demonstrating the strong family traditions and community spirit that continue to thrive within the Fire and Rescue Service.
Their shared commitment to public service highlights the strong family connections and community spirit that continue to play an important role within Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. On one memorable occasion, all six responded to an incident together aboard the same fire engine.
Paul and Connor Treacy
Crew Manager Paul Treacy joined MAWWFRS after being encouraged to apply by a colleague. Since then, he has served the community of Llandrindod Wells and the surrounding area for more than 16 years, attending a wide range of incidents and supporting the Service's response to local emergencies.
Firefighter Connor Treacy joined the Service just over a year ago, having developed an interest in the Fire and Rescue Service from an early age. Growing up around Llandrindod Wells Fire Station and seeing his father carry out his duties as an On-Call Firefighter provided him with a valuable insight into the role and the commitment it requires.
For both Paul and Connor, one of the most rewarding aspects of being an On-Call Firefighter is the opportunity to serve and protect the communities in which they live and work.
Mark ‘Dom’ and Fin Hughes
As the longest-serving of the three fathers, Crew Manager Mark ‘Dom’ Hughes has dedicated more than 26 years to Llandrindod Wells Fire Station. What began as an opportunity for challenge, camaraderie and extra income has grown into a lasting commitment to serving the Llandrindod Wells community alongside a dedicated crew.
Inspired by his father’s commitment, Dom’s son Firefighter Fin Hughes joined the Llandrindod Wells crew three years ago. Like Dom, he was drawn to the camaraderie of being part of his local Fire Station, as well as the chance to develop new skills and, as he jokes, to add something interesting to his online dating profile!
Richard and Brad Phillips
Firefighter Richard Phillips has served the Llandrindod Wells community for more than 24 years, driven by a desire to take on a role that was both challenging and rewarding. For Richard, the opportunity to serve and support his local community remains one of the most important parts of being an On-Call Firefighter.
Richard’s son, Firefighter Brad Phillips, joined the Llandrindod Wells crew three years ago and has since used the skills and experience gained as an On-Call Firefighter to progress into a Wholetime Firefighter role with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service at Ebbw Vale Fire Station. For Brad, the most rewarding parts of the role include being a respected member of the community and witnessing the relief and appreciation people show when the crew arrives at an incident.
The family’s connection to Llandrindod Wells Fire Station extends even further, with Richard’s daughter having also previously served as a Firefighter.
The stories of the Treacy, Hughes and Phillips families highlight the unique role that family connections, commitment and community spirit play within the Fire and Rescue Service.
Reflecting on the advice they would give to anyone considering becoming an On-Call Firefighter and drawing on their combined years of service, all six shared a common message: work hard, remain committed and make the most of every opportunity. They agreed that the role offers invaluable experiences and that the rewards of serving the community are matched by the effort invested in the role.
The presence of three father-and-son firefighting families at Llandrindod Wells Fire Station is powerful reflection of the dedication, pride and sense of duty that underpin both the On-Call Firefighter role and MAWWFRS.
Speaking on their dedication, Station Manager Sam Harries said:
“It is very special to have three fathers serving alongside their sons here at Llandrindod Wells Fire Station, and it’s a fantastic reflection of the strong community spirit and commitment that exists within our crew.
The Treacy, Hughes and Phillips families have made an outstanding contribution to the station, and we are incredibly proud of the service they continue to give in supporting their local communities.”
Become an On-Call Firefighter and Make a Real Difference
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is currently recruiting for On-Call Firefighters. On-Call Firefighters are an essential part of our Service and your community.
The role of an On-Call Firefighter provides many opportunities for personal and professional development, through training, teamwork, leadership and problem solving. On-Call Firefighters receive payment for their services, including retainer fees and call-out payments, supplementing their income from other employment.
30 Years of MAWWFRS
Since its formation in 1996, MAWWFRS has grown into one of the UK’s largest fire and rescue organisations, serving a wide and varied landscape, from rural villages and coastal towns to busy urban cities.
Throughout this time, our teams have responded to thousands of emergencies, championed fire safety and prevention and continually adapted to new challenges with professionalism and resilience.