Annual awards night celebrates Cambridgeshire Fire Service’s finest

Excellent, innovative and inspirational fire service staff were recognised at the annual Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) Excellence Awards.

The annual event celebrated long service, staff achievements and support from the local community and was attended by more than 160 guests at the Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon last night (November 12).

It awarded the commitment, dedication and professionalism of CFRS staff and others outside of the Service who go above and beyond to improve the level of service CFRS provides within the community.

This year, the event was sponsored by the following organisations, meaning the cost of the evening was solely paid for by our supporters TruckEast, Emergency One and Clan Tools, Supply +, Tensor, Interspiro, Bristol Uniforms and Hunter Apparel Solutions.

Awards presented on the evening, which was hosted by Graham Stagg, Chief Fire Officer for CFRS and BBC Look East presenter Janine Machin, included:

Long Service and Good Conduct medals - presented under a Royal Warrant for members of the uniformed service after completing 20 years of long and meritorious service to • The fire and rescue service and the public. These were presented by Vice Lord Lieutenant, Jane Lewin Smith JP DL.

• Chairman’s Awards - an award made to retired personnel who have completed at least 25 years’ service with CFRS. Presented by Sir Peter Brown, Chairman of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority.

• Excellence Awards - these awards reflect a variety of different achievements made both within and outside of the Service. Winners of the Excellence Awards were nominated by staff in the Service and chosen by a judging panel.

• Certificate of Commendation - a formal recognition to both members of staff and external stakeholders.

After the ceremony, Chief Fire Officer Graham Stagg said: “Tonight’s event has highlighted the fantastic work taking place on the frontline, behind the scenes and also in our communities.

“It reflects how we have not only some of the very best firefighters and support staff but how our staff are inspirational leaders, innovative thinkers and dedicated people who work hard to deliver the best service to the residents of Cambridgeshire.

“This evening would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors. A massive thank you has to go to the organisations who have contributed in some way to tonight’s event.”

David Hall, Sales Director at TruckEast, said: “We were delighted to once again sponsor the ceremony which recognises the excellent work that goes on not just on the frontline, but also behind the scenes, to help make Cambridgeshire a safer place to be.”

Mike Masden, Managing Director of Emergency One (UK) Ltd and Clan Tools & Plant Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service Excellence Awards again this year. The awards highlight the contribution that many individuals within the fire and rescue service make towards keeping our communities a safer place to live and work.

“We would like to pass on our congratulations to all winners, and indeed to all members of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, for the great work that is done on a daily basis.”

The evening ended with a prize draw of donated prizes.

Long Service and Good Conduct medal recipients:

Awarded after completing 20 years’ long and meritorious service to the fire and rescue service and the public.

Adrian Bradshaw – Crew Commander, March on-call

Rob Cowling – Watch Commander, Huntingdon wholetime

Sean Dunthorne – Whittlesey on-call

Callum Faint – Group Commander, Training Centre (Huntingdon)

Scott Feveyear – Station Commander, Operational Support Group and Ramsey

Jonathan Gordon – Crew Commander, Kimbolton

Russell Moon – Crew Commander, Whittlesey

Paul Morehen – Firefighter, Dogsthorpe

Chris Parker – Group Commander, Community Fire Safety

Steve Peacock – Watch Commander, Dogsthorpe

Gary Reach – Crew Commander, Wisbech

Rob Robinson – Watch Commander, Cambridge

David Shaw – Firefighter, St Neots

Bob Smith – Firefighter, St Neots

Clare Smith – Station Commander, Combined Fire Control

Wayne Swales – Station Commander, Operational Support Group (SHQ)

Chairman’s Award

Presented to retired personnel who have completed at least 25 years’ service.

Martin Boome – Station Commander, Arson liaison and community safety

Graham Brighty – Firefighter, Wisbech

Richard Dykes – Station Commander, community fire safety

Adrian Moore – Firefighter, Wisbech

Eddie Theaker – Watch Commander, Huntingdon

The family of the late Richard Woods, who retired earlier this year passed away in September, collected his Chairman’s Award to a standing ovation.

Excellence Awards

Fundraiser of the Year Award - an individual, team or event that has raised a significant amount of money or generated support for a charity or other good cause.

Crew Commander Jamie Bovington (Yaxley)

For his commitment in organising the annual sleigh ride in Yaxley, which raised more than £5,000 for charity.

Community Champion of the Year Award

Colin Minister

For his enthusiastic support of the Community Champions scheme and the way he has settled quickly into the team having recently joined. Colin has received excellent feedback from staff and members of the public he has visited.

On-call Employer of the Year Award -Sponsored by Truckeast - an employer that has demonstrated excellent support to the on-call duty system.

Wrights Dowson Group (Gamlingay)

For their continuous support and commitment to the Service for more than 40 years.

Certificate of Commendation - a stakeholder that has demonstrated excellent support to the Service.

Police Constable Mike Jackman (Huntingdon)

For his work on the multi-agency project Operation Harvell, which involves placing signage at areas of open water used for swimming, particularly by young people.

Partnership Achievement Award - an achievement, initiative or event that has brought benefits to the Service or public through excellent partnership working.

Station commanders Bruce Parcell and Stuart Smith (SHQ)

For their partnership work in the planning and operation of the Tour de France visit to Cambridge and their approach to partnership working during other local resilience issues.

Excellence in Community Fire Safety Award - a successful initiative that has made an impact on Community Safety within the county.

Project Icarus (Peterborough)

A project with HMP Peterborough where inmates convicted of fire related offences were assisted before their release. The project involved community safety officers Kevin James and Barbara Russell along with Prison Officer Kevin Duke.

Community Fire Safety Officer Jill Gibbs (Huntingdon)

For her work on hoarding and numerous other community safety initiatives.

Individual Achievement Award - an outstanding individual achievement or individual that has consistently performed above expectations.

Crew Commander Simon Muir (Burwell)

For his tireless work during the combination of Burwell and Swaffham Bulbeck fire stations.

ICT Servicedesk Operator Bill Mullett (Cambourne)

For his outstanding dedication and the high standards of support he provides to staff across the Service.

On-call Recruit of the Year

Firefighter Stewart Hull (Huntingdon Fire Station)

For displaying excellent competence and skill during the initial training course and demonstrating pride and passion for being an on-call firefighter since joining.

Award for Innovation and Improvement - an innovative idea or value for money concept carried through from planning to implementation, making a significant impact on the Service.

Watch Commander Stocker Standen (Huntingon, Training Centre)

For developing and implementing innovative new training content using iBooks for the Service’s new on-call recruits.

Tactical Delivery Group (Huntingdon)

For the way they have embedded the group into the Service and developed the group’s work plan, achieving impressive outcomes and service improvement.

Operational Excellence Award - Sponsored by Emergency One UK and Clan Tools

A demonstration of excellence by an individual or team during an incident.

Dogsthorpe and Stanground Black Watch (Peterborough)

For successfully rescuing a trapped casualty from a well-developed house fire in Eastgate, Peterborough.

Dogsthorpe and Stanground Green Watch (Peterborough)

For successfully finding and rescuing a casualty from a flat fire and administering medical care.

Leadership Achievement Award - an individual who has shown outstanding leadership.

Combined Fire Control Watch Commander Nicky Hoad (SHQ, Huntingdon)

For her leadership in various projects, including the new Incident Recording System, and of Control Day Watch.

Team Achievement Award - an outstanding team achievement or a team that has consistently performed above expectations.

Gamlingay on-call staff

For maintaining high levels of availability, boosting availability at other stations and for their work in the local community.

High Volume Pump crew based at Papworth and Gamlingay

For keeping the national resilience asset available and supporting protracted incidents in many parts of the country.