Staff who help save lives in West Norfolk have been given special awards.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service held an evening to honour its staff and the awards were distributed.
Margaret Dewsbury, the county councillor responsible for community and environmental services, said: “The level of professionalism and dedication across the fire and rescue service meant there was tough competition in every category, so congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone in the service who go to such remarkable lengths to keep Norfolk safe.”
Alongside the category awards, 18 Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were awarded to members of the service as well as 23 Outstanding Service Certificates.
The awards included
Chief Fire Officer Commendations
Presented to individuals and teams to recognise heroic, brave and or courageous actions
Charlotte Pepper and Lisa Barrett – For their quick thinking and heroic actions in extracting an individual at a residential house fire on 27 January 2022 at Congham in West Norfolk.
Watch Manager Sam Molyneux and Firefighter James Hoddy, of Massingham Station – For their heroic actions and quick thinking upon discovering a serious Road Traffic Collision on 22 May 2022 at Massingham in West Norfolk
Inspirational Leader Award
An individual in the organisation who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities which have had a positive effect on individuals, teams, and NFRS
Mark Bocking – Watch Manager, King’s Lynn White Watch
Tim Harper-Allison – Water Department
Stuart Shinn – Watch Manager, King’s Lynn Blue Watch
Cadet of the Year
A member of the volunteer fire cadet scheme who has demonstrated outstanding effort or improvement during the past year
Jason Walmsley (pictured above) – Hunstanton Cadet Unit, who has demonstrated continuous improvement whilst attending the cadet scheme. His confidence has grown, and he continues to build on the personal qualities and attributes required of a Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Cadet while also attending most of the extra events to support the unit, including a local event for recruiting additional Cadets. This is something that Jason initiated himself and the Service has received positive feedback from his efforts.
On-Call Employer of the Year
In recognition of the support that is given by the employer of an on call firefighter in releasing staff to attend NFRS duties
Heygates Mill – Downham Market
Making a Difference Award
Recognises teams and individuals who have made a positive impact to the communities of Norfolk, the service or the teams they work with to a standard that exceeds the expectations of their role in the organisation
Individual Awards:
John Baker (retired August 2022)
Claire Boer – Service Admin support staff
Lewis Freeman – Executive Support Officer
Team Award:
NFRS Aid to Ukraine team – supporting and delivering aid to Ukraine in 2022
Fundraiser of the Year
Presented to an individual or team who have made an outstanding effort to raise money for the Firefighters charity or another charity over a sustained period of time
Dean Lacey – Station Manager, King’s Lynn Station
Volunteer of the Year
An individual or team who have provided support, time, or services to NFRS free of charge over a sustained period of time
Norfolk Fire Museum Volunteers
Team Achievement Award
A team in the organisation who have achieved a task or goal which has benefited the communities of Norfolk or NFRS
Fakenham Fire Station (pictured above)
Fire Control Staff
Operational Support Team
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1954, awarded to those with 20 years’ service with good conduct
Julie Church – Service Control Room
Jamie Farr – Kings Lynn Station
Robert Hamilton – King’s Lynn Station
Billy Handel – Dereham Station
Ben Human – West Walton Station
Glyn Law – Downham Market Station
Barry Mallindine – Dereham Station
Daniel Manning – Methwold Station
Jeremy Punchard – Service Control Room
20 Year Outstanding Service Certificate
John Curtis – School Crossing Patrol
Cheryl Jenner – School Crossing Patrol
Melanie Mathews – School Crossing Patrol
Linda Plane – School Crossing Patrol
Kevin Sherman – School Crossing Patrol
30 Year Outstanding Service Certificate
Steve Bartram – Training Centre
John Linden – Operations, Western Area
Gavin McKee – Training Centre
Peter Oxford – Downham Market Station
Jason Reed – Fakenham Station
Paul Seaman – Service Leadership Team
40 Year Outstanding Service Certificate
Jimmy Groom – Heacham Station
Ray Harcourt – Training Centre
Margaret Reader – School Crossing Patrol
Please note: some recipients of long service awards qualified for the award earlier in 2022 and have since left or retired from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, but were still honoured at the Awards Ceremony.
