A senior former firefighter who received the MBE for his work in the fire service and the community has died aged 62.
Melvyn Kinsey, who was stationed at Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, lived at Parkhouse Avenue, Wednesfield, and served in the RAF before becoming a firefighter in 1974.
Colleagues say he took to the job with great gusto and, when not tackling fires, he helped expand firefighters’ role in the community by working with neighbourhoods.
His funeral takes place at Corpus Christi Church in Ashmore Park, Wolverhampton, on Monday at 10.30am. Colleagues from the fire service will form a guard of honour. Chief Fire Officer Vij Randeniya said today: “Although Mel Kinsey had been retired since 2002 he was still heavily involved with the service as a key member of our Colour Party at events such medal presentations and ceremonial events.â€