Issued on: Monday 9 December 2019

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Celebrate at Long Service Awards

Last Friday (6 December), ten members of staff from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received awards for their commitment to the Service and local community.

At the prestigious annual awards ceremony at Beaumanor Hall in Woodhouse, Leicestershire, firefighters and support staff were formally recognised for their achievements.

In recognition of 20 years’ service, seven members of operational staff received the Long Service, Good Conduct medal, which was presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur.

An additional two members of operational staff and one member of support staff received Long Service Certificates in recognition of 30 years’ loyal service to the fire and rescue service. These were presented by the Chair of the Combined Fire Authority, Nicolas Rushton.

Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Rick Taylor, said: “I acknowledge that the awards are a recognition of the personal endeavours and commitment that each recipient has made to serve the communities of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“I hope that those receiving the awards, their family and their friends feel as proud of them as I do, leading this fantastic organisation.”

A further award was presented to Maya, the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) dog. Maya joined Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service in 2009 and during her time in Service has been deployed to numerous operational incidents on a local, regional, national and international level.

Rick Taylor, continued: “Maya has set the highest standards in this varied specialised work. Along with her handler Chris Pritchard, she has undertaken exceptional work over the last ten years. It was with much pleasure that we acknowledged this achievement too.”

Following the presentation of awards, recipients were provided with refreshments and official photographs were taken.

Rick Taylor, added: “I would like to thank our special guests, Mike Kapur, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, and the Chair of the Combined Fire Authority, Nicolas Rushton, for attending and helping to make this day very special.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Interviews can be arranged through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications on the details below.

About the Service

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.

During 2018/19, the Service attended 762 road traffic collisions, of which 125 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to ­2,569 fires. We carried out 6,746 home safety checks and fitted 4,790 smoke alarms. 279 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,068 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 134 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project. 

The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire-related incidents have reduced by over 30 percent. 

Contact:
Corporate Communications
Direct: 0116 210 5592
corporate.communications@leics-fire.gov.uk  

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