Absent Friends
This page is dedicated to members of the CSDSA team who are sadly no longer with us.
Willie McMartin MBE
Willie McMartin MBE spent most of his working life saving people as a firefighter and also helping victims of disasters all over the globe as part of the International Rescue Corps.
But Willie was Mr Safe Drive, from the initial thought process of starting the series of shows up to his untimely passing Willie was ever present. His inputs were invaluable, from being the MC to making sure the shows ran to time, he did it all. Stage participants were always glad to see Willie just before going on as his calm manner and support put you at ease making the journey onto stage a less nervous one.
Willie joined the Scottish Fire Service when he was 17 and spent the next 37 years with the organisation, having risen to the rank of Sub Officer.
Willie was the International Rescue Corps operational director and was instrumental in putting together the organisation, which at the time was the first of its kind with the ability to respond to any disaster anywhere in the world within 24 hours.
In recognition of his years of selfless work in the Fire and Rescue Service and International Rescue, Willie was awarded an MBE in 2000.
Central Safe Drive wouldn’t be around if it wasn’t for his tireless work and the whole team miss his humour and dedication.
Rod Moore
Rod Moore worked in the ambulance service for almost half the lifetime of the NHS, he worked as a community paramedic in Forth Valley. He at one time was the first and only urban paramedic working in Scotland a role he loved.
He had returned to Front Line duties when Coronavirus Struck, showing his selfless commitment to the community.
Rod was the first paramedic to assist with SDSA going on stage, reliving his story in a way that left the audience spellbound at the role a paramedic plays in an RTC situation.
The Falkirk area lost a true hero when Scottish Ambulance Service paramedic passed away in November 2020.
