THEY are the men and women who make Hampshire proud.
The county’s finest firefighters were recognised at a glitzy awards ceremony at the service’s headquarters last night.
Celebrating Success rewarded the best achievements of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s staff, as well as their partners and volunteers.
Last night’s awards at the organisation’s Leigh Road headquarters in Eastleigh saw 28 accolades handed out, with staff rewarded for saving babies, educating youngsters about the dangers of fire and, in a UK first, a certificate marking 50 years of service.
Special certificates and meritorious medals were handed out to a number of staff for completing 25 years or more of service.
They include 67-year-old Martyn Long, who became the first person in the country to receive a 50-year certificate having started work at the old Winchester headquarters back in 1964.
In his time at the service he has attended major incidents, including the Winchester Guildhall fire in 1969, the Eastleigh Carriage Works blaze in 1977 and the Fawley Mobil Petrel incident in 1989.
Mick Weeks, formerly from Liphook Fire Station, was handed a certificate marking 45 years of service.
In his final Celebrating Suc-cess awards outgoing Chief Officer John Bonney handed out three special awards.
Crew manager Steve Fox scooped one after a remarkable year during which he rescued and resuscitated a 16-week premature baby girl, helped to save countless lives in the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Hai-yan and invented a new door entry procedure to make firefighters’ work easier.
Donna Smith, based in Eastleigh, won another of the Chief Officer’s Awards for her work to educate children in Hampshire through a series of story books and teaching resources that are already having a big impact.
Lady Wakeham presents station manager Paul Reddish with his award
And the service’s fire investigation team were the third winners with their award recognising their work which has led to a dramatic improvement in the service’s ability to detect arson and other crimes, which has seen more criminals put behind bars.
Chief fire officer John Bonney and award-winner Sophie Tustian
In his final speech as Chief Officer after ten years at the top Mr Bonney paid tribute to his colleagues and said he had been “honoured” to serve with them.
He also praised the service’s response to the deaths of firefighters James Shears and Alan Bannon in the Shirley Towers fire, saying there was a “courage and clear-sightedness that humbled me”.
Mr Bonney was commended by both the chairman of the Hampshire Fire And Rescue Authority Royston Smith and his successor, Chief Officer Dave Curry, who praised his “wisdom” and “leadership”, while saying Hampshire could now show leadership to the entire country.
Roll of honour
- MSc in Crisis and Disaster Management, University of Portsmouth research award and national Wilf Knight Award – Assistant Chief Officer Andy
- Bowers, Service Headquarters Academic and Vocational Achievement Award – Sophie Tustian, Service Headquarters
- Academic and Vocational Achievement Award – Station Manager Mark Woods, Service Headquarters
- Sports and Social Award – Joanne Wilson, Service Headquarters
- Long Service and Good Conduct Award for 20 years in the Service – Crew Manager Liam Launchbury, Totton Fire Station
- Long Service and Good Conduct Award for 20 years in the Service – Station Manager Paul Reddish, Service Headquarters
- Certificate and Lapel Badge for 25 years in the Service – Gary Cross, Fareham Fire Station
- Certificate and Lapel Badge for 25 years in the Service – Andy Earl, Service Headquarteres
- Certificate and Lapel Badge for 25 years in the Service – Firefighter Neil Knieriem, Hardley Fire Station
- Certificate and Lapel Badge for 25 years in the Service – Crew Manager John Leach, Basingstoke Fire Station
- Certificate and Lapel Badge for 25 years in the Service – Sean White, Service Headquarters
- Meritorious Medal for 30 years in the Service – Station Manager Nick Derham, Service Headquarters
- Meritorious Medal for 30 years in the Service – Firefighter Paul Dorrington, Fordingbridge Fire Station
- Meritorious Medal for 30 years in the Service – Russell Ferrett, Service Headquarters
- Meritorious Medal for 30 years in the Service – Firefighter David Holloway, St Mary’s Fire Station
- Meritorious Medal for 30 years in the Service – Firefighter Kevin O’Connell,
- Hardley Fire Station Meritorious Medal for 45 years in the Service – Mick Weeks
- Meritorious Medal for 45 years in the Service – Martyn Long, Service Headquarters
- Partnership Award – South Central Ambulance Service
- Community Award – Hambledon Flood Action Group
- Retained Duty Employer Award – De La Rue, Overton Mill
- Charity Award – Tracy Smith, from ASDA Fratton
- Fire Fighters’ Charity Award – Tim James, Winchester Fire Station
- Volunteer Award – Krista Wells, from South Warnborough
- Chief Officer’s Special Recognition Safer Award – Donna Smith, Service Headquarters
- Chief Officer’s Special Recognition Safer Award – Crew Manager Steve Fox, Rushmoor Fire Station
- Chief Officer’s Special Recognition Stronger Award – Fire Investigation Team, Service Headquarters
- Chief Officer’s Special Certificate – Watch Manager Alli Burrows
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