423rd ABG firefighters receive medals on behalf of Queen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  Three members of the 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department were presented the Fire and Rescue Service Long Service and Good Conduct (FSGC) Medal on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen during a ceremony at the RAF Alconbury Fire Department Jan. 24.

Group Manager Neil Green, Watch Manager David Wickens and Crew Manager Paul Slater were presented the medals by Chief Fire Officer Phil Salt, the top fire officer in the Ministry of Defence and Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation, in recognition of their 20 years of service.

Prior to 1949, there were multiple fire and police brigades (fire staff sworn in as police constables but employed in fire and policing duties) and various medals for long service. It was decided in 1951 to grant a long service medal that would provide a means of recognition of long and faithful service. The new medal came into effect June, 1, 1954, when Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill submitted the draft to the Queen and she signed off on it.

"The role of a firefighter has undoubtedly changed since the medal was introduced, the emphasis in now prevention and protection rather than response," said Salt. "However well we promote fire safety, fires will still be a feature of our lives and the firefighter will still be required to respond, fire fight and save lives. The recent tragedies at Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire, where four firefighters lost their lives and more recently, the Southamptom Tower Block tragedy where two firefighters lost their lives reminds us of the dangers and risks firefighters face as they go about the important task of saving life and protecting property."

Everyone receiving these awards has shown outstanding service and commitment to the fire and rescue service," said Salt. "They all deserve our congratulations and thanks for a job well done over the past 20 years."

The medal is 1.42 inches in diameter and struck originally in cupro-nickel and more recently in rhodium plate. Her Majesty's Crowning Effigy is displayed on one side and on the reverse two firefighters directing a fire hose with the words "FOR EXEMPLARY FIRE SERVICE" engraved around the border. The medal has the recipients' rank and name impressed by hand on the outer edge.

In addition to the FSGC medals Salt presented other awards and certificates to members of the 423rd CES/FD at RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth.
"Behind every good firefighter is a fantastic team consisting of trainers, managers, policy makers, support staff and of course families and colleagues," said Salt. "A big thank you goes out to them all for their contribution to our continued success."
Awards and certificates given were:

Institution of Fire Engineers - Graduate (GIFireE) and Institution of Fire Engineers - Engineering Technician
Watch Manager Mark Cutler
Watch Manager Trevor Howe

Department of Defense Letter of Appreciation - School flooding incident
Crew Manager Paul Slater
Firefighter Marc Jones
Firefighter Shaun Smith
Firefighter Paul Brennan
Firefighter Jamie Nobbs
Firefighter Brian Shepherd
Firefighter Carl Whitfield

MOD - Award
Firefighter Shaun Smith

NFPA - Public Telecommunicator I and II
Firefighter Carl Whitfield
Firefighter Andy Boon

IPDS Phase 2 - Certificate
Firefighter Roger Mead
Firefighter Paul Oakes
Firefighter Dean Baker

USAFE award - Cat II (Trophy)
Watch Manager Trevor Howe
Firefighter Paul Oakes

National Vocation Qualification Level 3 Diploma - Business and Administration
Catherine Leverton

National Vocation Qualification Level 3 - Learning and Development
Watch Manager Trevor Howe

NFPA 472 - Hazardous Materials Awareness
Catherine Leverton

NFPA 472 - HazMat Incident Commander
Watch Manager Mark Cutler

FIA - BS 5839 Pt 1 - 2002 (Unit 4 and 5)
Watch Manager Mark Cutler

NFPA - Fire Officer I
Crew Manager Darren Symonds

NFPA - Driver/Operator Mobile Water Supply
Firefighter Steve Wynne

MICT award - Exemplary Performance
Watch Manager Trevor Howe