Queen’s Fire Service Medal
CFO Des Prichard, East Sussex, has been awarded with the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service on November 10 at Buckingham Palace.

Des has been in the Fire Service for 30 years, joining Bletchley Fire Station in Milton Keynes in 1976 as a firefighter for Buckinghamshire Fire Brigade. He was promoted and transferred to Bedfordshire Fire Service in 1984 before joining the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire in 1991 as a tutor lecturing in command and leadership. Des is still a visiting lecturer at the college today.
After gaining an MBA at Henley Management College, he joined East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as Assistant Chief Fire Officer in 1995 and was promoted to Deputy Chief Fire Officer in 1996. He reached his present rank in 2001 and became Chief Executive of ESFRS the same year. Des said: “I am delighted to accept this honour, and do so on behalf of everyone at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.” Councillor Michael Murphy, Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, said: “This award is thoroughly deserved and I’d like to extend both the fire authority’s and my own personal congratulations to our Chief Fire Officer Des Prichard. His continued commitment, loyalty and service over the years have been exemplary.”

End of an era – Staffordshire long service

The end of a unique era was seen last week at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service when Paul Wright (Workshops Manager) with 44 years service and Dave Houlding (Transport Manager) 41 years service, both retired from their posts after (very) long and loyal careers.

Paul and David started in 1962 and 1965 respectively as apprentice mechanics in the Fire Service Workshops and they have worked tirelessly to reach the relevant positions within the Transport and Engineering Department.
The Chief Fire Office/Chief Executive Alan Doig conducted the presentation, stating: “I have never been involved in such a meritorious retirement occasion where two individuals have a collective service of 85 years!” Paul and David are recognised and well respected in the British Fire Service for their contribution in research, development and design work that has gone into the modern fire vehicles we see today.David has particularly worked closely with the Fire Service Procurement Association and more recently with FireBuy.