Cambridgeshire firefighters - including from Wisbech, March and Chatteris - awarded for their services at Delta Hotel by Marriott in Huntingdon
The hard work and “selfless commitment” of Cambridgeshire firefighters has been recognised at a recent awards ceremony.
The event, held at Delta Hotel by Marriott in Huntingdon last month, recognised the “outstanding accomplishments” of colleagues throughout the year and the “tremendous commitment and dedication” of those serving for 20 years or more.
The awards were hosted by chief fire officer Matthew Warren together with deputy chief fire officer John Anderson, assistant director Hayley Douglas and assistant chief fire officer Stuart Smith for around 150 guests.
There were a number of accolades presented throughout the evening, including long service and good conduct medals, long service presentations, fire authority chair’s awards, excellence awards and silver axe presentations.
Mr Warren said: “Our Excellence awards event is genuinely one of the highlights of the year. It is all about our people, recognising the good work they have done and the selfless commitment they have given the service and our communities.
“I am humbled every day by the commitment, flexibility, innovation and dedication that our people demonstrate, day in day out.
“Being able to celebrate our employees’ achievements in this way would not be possible without the continued support of our sponsors. I must say a big thank you to all the organisations that contributed this evening.”
The cost of the event was paid for by the following organisations - TruckEast, Scania, Supply Plus, Crofton Engineering, Allinson, Interspiro, Emergency One and Hunter Apparel Solutions.
Awards:
The long service and good conduct medal recipients:
(from Fenland)
- Tony Bird - March Fire Station
- Simon Thompson - head of operations and fire protection
- Jeff Whitlam - fire protection
(from other areas within Cambridgeshire)
- Ben Anstee - Cambridge and Cottenham fire stations
- Philip Coates - Stanground Fire Station
- Louise Halsall - Kimbolton Fire Station
- Christine Warren - combined fire control
- Tirzah Warton - combined fire control
Long service presentations:
(from Fenland)
- Tim Carr - Wisbech Fire Station for 30 years
- Phil Pilbeam - Wisbech Fire Station for 30 years
- Gary Reach - Wisbech Fire Station for 30 years
(from other areas within Cambridgeshire)
- Nicky Hoad - communications equipment project manager, Huntingdon for 20 years
- Nicola Smith - business intelligence and performance manager, Huntingdon for 20 years
- Ray Constant - Sawtry Fire Station for 30 years
- Graham George - Huntingdon Fire Station for 30 years
- Andy Jones - St Neots Fire Station for 30 years
- Bob Smith - St Neots Fire Station for 30 years
Fire authority chair’s award:
(from Fenland)
- Alex Chrysanthou - Chatteris Fire Station
- Philip Pilbeam - Wisbech Fire Station
(from other areas within Cambridgeshire)
- Karen Garrard - commercial team, Huntingdon
- Chris Strickland - chief fire officer, Huntingdon
Excellence award winners:
- Project managers - Nicky Hoad and Jodie Houseago
- Project team - Clare Smith, Karen Gow, Carly Smith, Jack Mosley, Daisy Gooderham, Heidi Lindsay, David Kaye, and Jackie Watson
- Additional supporting colleagues - Sarah Ribbons, Charlotte Black, Matt Rossi, Sam Cox, Amanda Shepherd, and Lauren Hopcraft
Further award winners:
- Crew commander Rob Austin - for demonstrating selfless commitment, professionalism and helping others by assisting at an incident whilst off duty.
- Community safety officer Lily Wilkanowski - for consistently going above and beyond in her role.
- Learning and organisational development partners Laura Boucher and Kelly Addy - diligent, professional and passionate approach to learning and development and commitment to improve, listen and make changes.
- Firefighter Lucy Tomlinson - for the dedication, time and effort shown in organising successful events at Burwell fire station this year.
- Asset database systems administrator George Kidd - for making an outstanding contribution to the training centre for over 21 years.
- The training centre team - for going above and beyond to deliver the service’s first internal wholetime firefighter course.
- Paul Clarke, Odette Tattersall and Sharon Ward from community fire safety prevention team - development of the firebreak scheme which stands as an exemplary intervention aimed at reducing youth violence and anti-social behaviour in the community.
- Former community road safety officer Kathleen Bowman and PC Nick Southern - developing and delivering the old drivers workshops providing road safety advice to drivers aged 65 and over.
- External award (certificate of commendation) - Fenland District Council.
- External award (certificate of commendation) - Jenny Wright, Peterborough City Council.
- Chief fire officer commendation for bravery Joanne Shippey - for rescuing a man from a house fire while at a family party.
Silver Axe presentation:
- Owain Collard - Huntingdon Fire Station for being the top performing recruit in training.
- Max Mitzman - Ely Fire Station, Robin Ellis - Sawtry Fire Station, Charlie Hadden - Kimbolton Fire Station for stand out recruits in training courses.
External Awards over the last year:
- The Finance Team - successful at the Public Finance Awards 2024, scooping Digital Finance Project of the Year.
- Kathleen Bowman - scooped the tyre safety in the in the community award at the TyreSafe Awards.
- Community wellbeing officers, Megan Cantwell and Joshua Berrisford - won the partnership working award at the National Fire Chief’s Council Prevention Awards, and the emergency services collaboration of the year award at the Excellence in Fire Awards 2024.
- Fleet manager Graham Wiggins - outstanding contribution to the fire and rescue service at the Excellence in Fire Awards.
- Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade was presented with a certificate of thanks by the chief fire officer for their service to the community.
Reporting by Cara Fiore
