More than 70 people honoured by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

The exceptional bravery and dedication of more than 70 special people, ranging from firefighters to call handlers and members of the public, have been recognised by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) at an annual awards ceremony.

The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Recognition Awards 2023, held on Saturday, honoured 78 people for their dedication, commitment and acts of bravery.

More than 150 guests were invited to the Training and Safety Centre in Bury, along with Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mrs Diane Hawkins and the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, to celebrate the achievements and recognise the efforts of those whose actions have made a special impact this year.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green said: “It was an honour to witness such achievements being celebrated at the Recognition Awards. I’m proud to be part of the event and hear people’s stories while they were celebrating with family, friends, and colleagues. The awards really demonstrated the range and diverse mix of work that GMFRS carries out.”

The awards featured two categories: the Certificate of Outstanding Performance, and the prestigious Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation.

A total of 19 nominations – covering a combined total of 78 people – were received from stations across Greater Manchester, all demonstrating tenacity, determination, and professionalism.

Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russel said: “Thank you and congratulations to all the recipients of the Chief Fire Officer’s Commendations and Certificates of Outstanding Performance. The exceptional service and commitment to keeping our community safe, embodies the spirit of our profession.”

The nominations covered a wide range of operational incidents, volunteering, and prevention activities, and included:

• The operational team of firefighters who attended a house fire in Hollins and rescued numerous trapped residents from the smoke-filled home.
• A colleague from North West Fire Control who due to quick thinking and use of innovative location technology, was able to direct crews to a teenager who was stuck in deep mud.
• The team who organised and managed the 2023 British Firefighter Challenge earlier this year in Manchester City Centre, where we hosted various countries whilst a number of challenges took place.
• Recognition for a community member who has spent many years raising money for the Firefighters Charity, following on from decades of dedicated employment with GMFRS in a range of roles.