Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service's Head of Safety and Risk Management has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. 

Helen Crampton has been awarded The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Services to Public Safety in the Birthday Honours List, announced ahead of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. 

Helen, who has worked for DFRS for 25 years, has made a huge impact on the safety and health of all personnel within the service and the wider community by always striving for ways to ensure their safety is maintained. 

In addition to leading on health and safety for DFRS, Helen lead on the assessment of risk to ensure fire service employees in five counties across the East Midlands were kept safe from danger during the Covid pandemic. 

Helen’s depth of knowledge was rewarded in 2019 when Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) recognised Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service as having an ‘Outstanding’ Safety Culture. 

When Helen is not advising on health and safety for the fire and rescue service or supporting the UK Rescue Organisation (UKRO), she can be found working in a voluntary capacity for charitable causes. 

Helen is member of the National Safety committee for the Scouts Association ensuring the safety of thousands of children and carers, as well as County Safety Advisor for Derbyshire Scouts and a cub leader.

Outside of her work with the Scouts, Helen is also fully involved in the safety and welfare of her local community. She undertakes significant work in her local community, supporting St Paul’s Church in Hasland. She is regularly called upon to complete risk assessments to ensure the safety of the church and its community.   

Speaking following the announcement of Helen’s MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Gavin Tomlinson said: “We are extremely proud to see Helen’s work in the field of safety and risk being honoured by Her Majesty the Queen with the award of an MBE.

“Helen’s professionalism, knowledge and guidance in the field of safety and risk provides our Service with a level of assurance that puts the safety and wellbeing of all our employees at the forefront of all decision making. 

“I have no doubt that Helen will be honoured to be recognised through the award of an MBE but knowing her so well, I am also confident that she will reflect on her work always being a team effort. 

“What many aren’t aware of is that outside of working for the fire and rescue service, Helen is generous with her own time and uses her expertise to support the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO), her local community and church and the National Scouts Association, so to see her being recognised for services to safety I feel justly proud and know this will be echoed right across Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.”

Responding to her inclusion in the Queen’s birthday honours list, Helen said: “I feel honoured and humbled to receive an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen in this her Platinum Jubilee Year. 

“The nomination came as a complete surprise to me as I never imagined I would get recognition at such an honorary level for doing a job I love. I have worked with many people over the years, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge them all as together we have improved the safety of others locally and nationally.”

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