Eddie Baker joined the fire service in 1960 when he enrolled in the Croydon Auxiliary Fire Service. He was promoted through the ranks to Sub Officer prior to amalgamation with the London Fire Brigade, and continued to serve in the AFS, followed by the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Fire Brigade and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. He retired in 1995 as a Leading Firefighter. Eddie has written six books and a number of articles on the Fire Service, and gives talks to local groups on the history of the UK Fire Service.