00:00Fifteen years have passed since the events of the Valhalla fire where tragically we lost
00:08John Powell.
00:09During complex fire and rescue operations, firefighter Huw Williamson lost his life doing
00:17the job he loved, putting himself at risk to help others.
00:22Today we gather in Edinburgh where Huw's funeral was held in 2009.
00:29Huw's legacy is one of bravery, selflessness and unwavering dedication to protecting others.
00:52Huw was a real asset to the watch, he brought a lot of fun.
01:21He was unique, our watch at the time was made up of a lot of individuals but we worked hard
01:28as a team, we enjoyed each other's company both at work and out of work.
01:33It was a real family, I feel that the time on the watch and Huw was just a very good
01:42looking, charismatic firefighter, very good at his job and just tragic that we lost him
01:50in the circumstances that we did.
01:52As you'll have seen from the number of family, friends and colleagues that I've gathered
01:57today, it's extremely important that we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Huw made back
02:02in 2009 going to the aid of others.
02:07Fortunately, firefighters losing their lives in the line of duty is extremely rare, however
02:12they do have a massive impact clearly upon Huw's family and loved ones, on his colleagues
02:19and friends within, as was Lothian Borders Fire and Rescue Service and indeed across
02:24the whole of the Fire and Rescue Service people feel the loss of a valued colleague like Huw
02:30and so it's hugely important that we come together and we collectively remember the
02:37sacrifice that Huw made as we do with all firefighters who tragically lose their lives
02:42in the line of duty.
02:44I can't believe it's 15 years, time really does fly and we'll never forget Huw. Occasions
02:52like this are really for his family first and foremost and they are basically central
02:59to everything that we as a watch did and have done since that day. It doesn't seem like
03:0615 years, it really doesn't. He'll always be with us, we know he's always looking down
03:12It's the first time that we've had an occasion where it's not been raining, I think it's
03:17the big man's joke, it always gets us soaking wet, thinking back to the day's funeral and
03:21then when we did this last year, we got soaked, but we'll never forget him, never forget him.
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