Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 27/02/2

On Friday 23 February Cornwall County Fire Brigade hosted its annual awards’ ceremony. It included the presentation of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, Cornwall County Council 25 Year Medals and Chief Fire Officer’s Commendations to brigade personnel at The Maritime Museum, Falmouth.

The Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is awarded by her Majesty the Queen to honour those who have rendered long and meritorious service as members of Fire Brigades in the UK. The qualifying period for the award is a minimum of 20 years.

Those who received the Long Service and Good Conduct medals from Lady Mary Holborow are:

Firefighter Richard Bluett, Delabole
Station Officer Paul Pearce, Mevagissey
Group Fire Control Officer Timothy Robinson, Brigade Headquarters
Sub Officer Neil Ruffell, Penzance
Station Officer Mark Saltern, Delabole
Divisional Officer Jan Sturges, Training Department
Firefighter Graham Walker, Mullion

All employees, on completion of 25 years’ service with Cornwall County Council are awarded a long service medal. Those receiving the medal from Councillor Ken Yeo, Executive Member for Public Protection were:

Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Boeck, Brigade Headquarters
Mrs Sharon Cardy, Brigade Headquarters
Firefighter Stephen Striplin, Launceston
Firefighter Jeffery Rutherford, Launceston
Mrs Alison Thompson Brigade Headquarters
Blue Watch from Camborne Fire Station and Leading Fire Control Operator Andy Taylor received Chief Fire Officer’s Commendations for their outstanding achievements.

The crew from Camborne, Sub Officer Des O’Connell, Firefighter Martin Cleverly, Firefighter Richard Keast, Firefighter Chay Richardson and Firefighter Lee Beresford, were called to a serious kitchen fire in Redbrooke Road, Camborne on 9 May 2006.

Divisional Commander Derek Walker explains: “Des instructed a member of his crew to force entry into the property because there was no response from the occupier. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus then searched the ground floor in dense smoke.

He cont: “They quickly managed to find the unconscious casualty near the kitchen, which was well alight, and carried him out of the property. The crew gave first aid and administered oxygen as the ambulance crew had not yet arrived”

The casualty was then rushed to hospital and following a critical few weeks survived.

Commenting on the award given to Andy Taylor, Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden said: “Andy received this award because of his efforts during a day off. Whilst in St Ives last year he noticed smoke rising from the roof of a building in Wharf Road and called the fire brigade. He then provided his colleagues with vital information, including the number of floors involved and the potential resource requirements, and raised the alarm with the occupants. His actions were entirely selfless”
Also receiving awards were personnel from St Austell Fire Station. Firefighters Mark Pratten, Tim Thorne, Adam Howard, Keith Coles and Community Fire Safety Advisor Sarah Webber received Chief Fire Officer’s Letters of Congratulations for their efforts in sending a fire engine to Senegal.

“We wanted to send one of our redundant fire engines to somewhere it would really make a difference. Although our equipment is no longer adequate for the brigade’s needs, in Senegal it is invaluable. The Chief Fire Officer kindly allowed us to have one of our old fire engines and with the help of our colleagues we managed to raise enough money to take it over there and provide training” said firefighter Mark Pratten, who with his colleague firefighter Tim Thorne travelled to Senegal last month.

Councillor Ken Yeo (Lib Dem), Executive Member for Public Protection said: “Members of Cornwall County Fire Brigade continue to show me their commitment to this much respected service and I greatly enjoy attending the awards ceremony and presenting them with the Cornwall County Council long service medal”

Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden added: “The annual awards ceremony gives me the opportunity to thank my staff for their hard work, and show my appreciation to the families and friends for their support. I hope it gives the recipients a chance to reflect on the excellent work they do for the community”.