A number of people from UK Fire and Rescue Services have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council has given his heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all those recognised – which also includes those receiving an honour for their contribution in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the Queen’s Birthday Honours were pushed back to the autumn to ensure they could fully reflect the work of frontline staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

NFCC Chair Roy Wilsher, said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all receiving such a prestigious honour, while recognising the hard work and commitment of all fire and rescue service staff.

"I am very pleased to see people from fire services recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, and also to see individuals recognised for their commitment and dedication to the COVID-19 response.

“The past few months has been incredibly difficulty for the entire country. It comes as no surprise that firefighters and fire and rescue services staff were ready to take on additional work to support those that needed help and assistance.

“From delivering essential items to vulnerable people, to assisting the health service, ambulance trusts, social care and a range of other organisations on the front line, staff were on hand.

“It is in the DNA of staff to do whatever they can and the COVID-19response showed just how willing people were to get involved and do more; this commitment and dedication will continue as the pandemic presents us with more challenges.”


The list below highlights people from fire and rescue services - and the wider sector - who have received a Queen’s Birthday Honour.

CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire)

  • Simon Routh Jones: HM Chief Inspector, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. For services to the Fire and Rescue Service

 

OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire)

  • Phil Garrigan, Chief Fire Officer, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, for services for Fire and Rescue during COVID-19
  • Lee Howell, Chief Fire Officer, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, for services to the Fire and Rescue Service

 

MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)

  • Tina Butler, Head of Commercial and Procurement, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, for services to the COVID-19 response
  • Councillor David (Tudor) Davies, Chair of the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, for services to the Fire and Rescue Service in Wales
  • David O’Neill, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Operational Policy, London Fire Brigade, for services to the COVID-19 response

 

BEM (British Empire Medal)

  • Robert Allen, Lately Firefighter, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, for services to the Fire and Rescue Service in Bristol
  • Mark Henderson, Community Safety Team Leader, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, for services to people with dementia
  • Wayne Horlock, Station Manager, London Fire Brigade, for services to the COVID-19 response
  • Shaun Moody, Group Manager South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, for services to Search and Rescue

 

QFSM (Queen’s Fire Service Medal)

  • Mark Cashin, Chief Fire Officer, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service
  • Julie King, Group Manager, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
  • Sean Bone-Knell, Lately Assistant Chief Fire Officer & Director Operations, Kent Fire and Rescue Service
  • Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
  • David McGown, Lately Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

 

Honours are decided by an honours committee and these then go to the Prime Minister and on to the Queen.

The Honours system recognises people who have:

  • Made achievements in public life
  • Committed themselves to serving and helping Britain
  • Have made life better for other people
  • Be outstanding at what they do
  • Make a difference to their community or field of work
  • Long-term voluntary service
  • Improve life for people less able to help themselves
  • Display moral courage