Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 05/03/2008 12:28

Cornwall County Fire Brigade hosted its annual Award Ceremony, which recognises the positive achievements of fire fighters and the Brigade, at the Maritime Museum in Falmouth last week.

The evening included the presentation of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, the presentation of Cornwall County Council 25 Year Medals and the Chief Fire Officer's Commendations to Brigade personnel.

The Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medals are 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 period of 20 years.

Lady Mary Holborow, Cornwall's Lord Lieutenant, presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to:

Sub Officer Kevin Andrew, St Mawes
Firefighter Richard Colman , Wadebridge
Sub Officer Ian Crapp, Fowey
Leading Firefighter Karl Hockridge, Launceston
Firefighter Roy Hooper, Launceston
Leading Firefighter Paul James, Helston
Firefighter Leon Kemp, St Keverne
Firefighter David Lamy, Fowey
Sub Officer Stephen Mitchell, Newquay
Firefighter Keith Pascoe, St Keverne
Firefighter Keith Peters, St Keverne
Station Officer Shaun Roberts, Falmouth
Sub Officer Paul Stephens, St Keverne
Leading Firefighter Paul Trevorrow, St Ives
Station Officer Daryl Wellington, Bude
Leading Firefighter Ken Wright, Newquay

Long Service Medals are presented to all employees who have completed 25 years service with Cornwall County Council. Ken Yeo (Lib Dem), the Executive Member for Public Protection presented medals to:

Station Officer Ray Dawe, Bodmin
Station Officer Francis Doney, Lostwithiel
Leading Firefighter Klaus Glanville, Truro
Firefighter Nigel Parkin, Truro
Firefighter Peter Rowe, Lostwithiel
Leading Firefighter Kevin Wheeldon, Newquay

Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden also presented special Awards to Keith Stringer, Station Officer from Helston Fire Station; Senior Fire Control Officer Sharen Thomas and a group from Liskeard Fire Station and the town's Rotary Club.

Keith Stringer was presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Cup for Community Safety. Presenting Station Officer Stringer with his Award, Cornwall's Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden paid tribute to his outstanding work with the Phoenix Project and Home Fire Safety Checks and his commitment to the local community though his role as a Co-Responder.

Senior Fire Control Officer Sharen Thomas was presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Letter of Congratulation for the professional way in which she handled a 999 call reporting a fire at 21 Foundry Row in Redruth in the early hours of Jan 12th 2008. Although the caller was incoherent and confused, SFCOp Thomas responded in a professional, mature and calming manner, whilst, at the same time, mobilising resources to the scene.

Congratulating SFCOp Thomas, the Chief Fire Officer said this was a significant incident which required the attendance of four major pumping appliances, a water carrier, an operational support vehicle and command support vehicle. Nine people were evacuated from the semi detached house, two of whom were taken to hospital.

Letters of Congratulation from the Chief Fire Officer were also presented to Firefighters from Liskeard Fire Station, members of the Liskeard Rotary Club and a reporter and cameraman from BBC Spotlight TV who were involved in taking a fire engine to Kosovo.

Receiving the Letters of Congratulations were Pete Robinson, Susan Smith, Robert Collins, Scott Marks and Danny Smith from Liskeard Fire Station, Barry Kressinger and Mark Jewell, from Liskeard Rotary Club and Louise Hubbel and Nigel Sampson, from the BBC.

Ken Yeo (Lib Dem), the 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".