The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire has praised Shropshire firefighters – including those from Oswestry and Ellesmere fire stations - for “all that you do” for the people of Shropshire.
“We are hugely grateful for what you do. You are never thanked enough. It is only in an emergency when people are affected,” said Algernon Heber-Percy at a special awards ceremony held at the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.
He also praised Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond, who is due to retire next month, for his skill in “keeping Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service together” after implementing severe budget cutbacks.
The Lord Lieutenant presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to 12 firefighters and two support staff for completing 20 years service with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“The hours of a firefighter are not conducive to family life and with the danger is the stress on families waiting at home,” the Lord Lieutenant told firefighters.
“We do take it for granted that you rescue people from fire in the middle of the night. You run towards a disaster when everyone else would run away.”
He praised them for their vocation which required commitment and dedication.
Receiving the awards were Steve Moorhouse, whose “proudest moment” was when he was promoted to Officer in Charge at Ellesemere Fire Station. Steve joined Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1992 and has worked for Lloyds Animal Feeds for 25 years as their Operations Manager.
Postal worker Adrian Bowen has been a retained firefighter at Oswestry Fire Station since 1992. He is involved in station fundraising activities which have raised over £100,000 for charities. He was involved with a 12 pump fire at Victoria Rooms, Oswestry.
Adrian, who is employed by Royal Mail in Oswestry has a partner Louise Corfield and the couple have a son, Toby, 3.
Adrian’s leisure time is spent supporting Manchester United. He was a season ticket holder until 2005 and watched them win in Barcelona and Moscow.
Retired firefighter Dave Bishton was praised for making an “outstanding” contribution to charity. He received both the Telent Charity Shield and the Firefighters’ Charity Certificate of Achievement for being the “driving force” behind raising thousands of pounds for charity during his career.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Worrall received the High Sheriff’s Good Citizen’s Award for his international humanitarian aid in supporting poorer fire brigades in Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. He organised the delivery of 14 redundant UK fire engines, hundreds of desperately needed firefighting uniforms and rescue equipment. Under funded orphanages and a home for the handicapped in Romania have also been helped by Steve and colleagues over the past few years.
