A range of outstanding achievements were recognised at the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) Awards Ceremony, which was held on Friday, 21 November.
This event, which took place at Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, provided an opportunity to recognise the exceptional work of staff, volunteers and partners during the past year.
With 28 staff members eligible for Long Service Awards and Long Service and Good Conduct Medals this year, and a total of 13 separate award categories to present, there was plenty to celebrate.
Staff who have served 20 years’ or 30 years’ service received their Long Service Award or Long Service and Good Conduct medal from the Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Mr Andrew Try, before a number of awards were presented.
This year’s event was sponsored by Multitone, Lighthouse Events, Serve and Protect Credit Union, Softcat and Fire Solutions by ODS – their support helped us to make this a fitting event for staff, volunteers and partners.
Some highlights of the evening’s awards included:
- James Hunt received the Excellence in Public Service Award for going above and beyond in his work to improve firefighter safety and health, through his work on contamination awareness and reduction.
- Charlotte Moore and the Capital Projects Team received Project of the Year for their work on the redevelopment of the Whitley Wood Training Centre to deliver a first class, leading facility and capability.
- Martyn Ainsworth and Shaun Foley received the Fundraising Initiative of the Year Award for becoming the first people to run to all 12 of Berkshire’s wholetime fire stations in one day to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity. In doing so they raised more than £3,400 for the Fire Fighters Charity.
- The Trauma Support Team won the Team of the Year Award for helping staff after major incidents, disasters and other traumatic events to help minimise distress.
- Geoff Bushnell, former Watch Manager at Mortimer received the Shane Burton Award for a Career Devoted to Public Service, for devoting himself to looking after the local community as a key member of Mortimer Fire Station for the past 27 years.
- Wokingham Green Watch received the Watch of the Year Award for always promoting a positive culture and environment in creating better relationships with the community, while managing risks around them.
- Tim Weekes, Station Manager on Red Watch at Bracknell received the Excellence in Leadership Award for putting others first and demonstrating everything a good leader should.
Councillor Jeff Brooks, Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, who presented awards at the event said: “I’m delighted that we were able to recognise so many fantastic public servants tonight.
“While many good deeds across our communities go unseen, tonight was about shining a spotlight on some of those who help Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service do its vital work in keeping people safe. This includes frontline staff delivering services to the public, members of support departments, volunteers, colleagues from partner organisations and members of the public. I am immensely proud of all our staff as we continue to keep people safe and protected across Berkshire”
Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Events like this provide a valuable opportunity to highlight role models and exemplary teams who sustain the work of our Service.
“I am particularly delighted that we have added a new award category for our partners this evening, the Partner Recognition Award, which reminds us that we are not serving our communities alone, we are part of a wider partnership that truly is One Team for Berkshire.”
“I would like to thank our event sponsors – Multitone, Lighthouse Events, Serve and Protect Credit Union, Softcat and Fire Solutions by ODS – the support is really appreciated, enabling us to run events like this to recognise our teams.”
To find out more about our Awards Ceremony and how to get involved in future, please visit https://www.rbfrs.co.uk/our-awards-ceremony/
