FENLAND firefighters were among those rewarded for long service and achievement at the county’s annual awards evening last night.

About 150 guests gathered for Cambs Fire and Rescue Service’s Excellence Awards at the Marriott Hotel, in Huntingdon, including recipients of medals, award winners and their families.

The evening was hosted by chief fire officer Graham Stagg who said: “The quality of achievements we have celebrated here tonight have been highly impressive and every single winner and nominee should be extremely proud.

“We introduced the Excellence Awards to improve the way we recognise good work following feedback from staff. It is important that those who go the extra mile are recognised and thanked in an appropriate way.

“The night isn’t about the service, it is about the people who make the service what it is and those in the community who support us in delivering our service.”

The evening ended with a prize draw. Hosts for the event, The Marriott Hotel, donated a one-night stay for two people at the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club.

The Fenland award winners were:

Long Service and Good Conduct medal

• Robert Edwards – Firefighter at Chatteris Fire Station

Chairman’s Awards

• Mike Allen – Retired (former Watch Manager at Chatteris)

• Nigel Fuller – Retired (former Firefighter at Chatteris

Excellence in Community Safety Award (a successful initiative that has led to increased community safety)

• Wisbech Fire Station, for improving community safety and engagement in the Waterlees ward in Wisbech.

In a bid to reduce the number of incidents and improve the safety of residents, crews visited every home in the ward on a street by street basis to give every household the opportunity to have a home fire safety check.

Their consistent and determined approach has not only led to a decline in the number of incidents within the ward, but has also improved relations within the community.

Leadership Achievement Award (an individual who has shown outstanding leadership).

• Sean Brown, from March, for demonstrating outstanding leadership skills and driving the Peterborough District forward.

When Sean took on the role of District Manager for Peterborough, he realigned the district and its workloads to ensure continual improvement.

As well as driving performance, championing community cohesion and risk analysis, his enthusiasm motivated other to achieve and he became a highly respected figure-head throughout his leadership.