The achievements of firefighters, police officers, fire service staff and members of the public were recognised at the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service's annual awards ceremony (10 October 2019) last week.
The ceremony, which took place at Nottingham's Albert Hall, paid tribute to the professionalism, teamwork, bravery and outstanding contribution displayed by individuals and teams, both in their day-to-day work, and in responding to incidents.
Among those receiving Chief Fire Officer's Commendations and Certificates was David Thorpe, Headmaster at Ranby House School in Retford, North Nottinghamshire.
David was the proud recipient of the ‘Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham Fire Authority Creating Safer Communities Award.’
Ranby House School has hosted the multi-agency Safety Zone event for the last two years, welcoming hundreds of primary aged school children onto their premises to learn vital safety skills.
Featuring organisations such as the RNLI, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, Western Power, East Midlands Ambulance service, St John’s, Network Rail and others, the event teaches children a multitude of safety messages as well as potential life –saving skills.
Headmaster David Thorpe said: “It is our pleasure to be able to host this event – the skills children learn are invaluable in keeping them and their families, safe. It was an unexpected honour to win the award and to be in the room with so many worthy winners. On behalf of the Ranby House School community, thank you.”
A spokesperson for Notts Fire & Rescue service, said: “The availability of their excellent facilities has provided the perfect setting for agencies such as the fire and rescue service to engage effectively with children to help keep them safe – giving them advice that will last a lifetime.”
Chief Fire Officer John Buckley said: “We often take for granted some of things we do, and pass it off as just being 'part of the job'. But when someone has gone above and beyond – whether that is at an incident, or in our community safety work, or simply by displaying our Service values and making an outstanding contribution as an employee - it is only right that we congratulate and pay tribute to them.
"My huge thanks and congratulations go to all of our worthy 2019 recipients."