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Fire family recognised in King’s Birthday Honours 2023

Fire service personnel and dedicated volunteers have been recognised for their tireless work in the King's first Birthday Honours list.

The King has named several members of our fire services community in his first Birthday Honours list – with many recognised for their incredible work in their communities and on behalf of our Charity.

One of those who’s received an OBE is Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch, our former Chair of the Board of Trustees and now Editor of Fire Magazine. He has been recognised for his years of service and support of our Charity – and that continues through to today.

Alongside him are personnel and volunteers from across the UK who have gone above and beyond to support us and their fire and rescue service over the years.

โ€œIt’s fantastic to see so many members of our fire services community recognised for their hard work and dedication to our Charity, their communities and the wider fire and rescue service in the Kingโ€™s Birthday Honours,” says our Chief Executive, Dr Jill Tolfrey. “On behalf of everyone at The Fire Fighters Charity, I send my warmest congratulations to all those who have received this well-deserved recognition.”

Those honoured include:

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Andrew Fraser Ledgerton-Lynch: Editor, Fire Magazine. For services to The Fire Fighters Charity and Fire Safety.

Keith Michael Donnelly: Fire and Rescue Service Adviser UK. For services to Fire and Rescue.

Members of the Order of the British Empire

Karen Jane Farr: Children and Young Persons Manager with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. For services to
Young People and to Public Safety.

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

Robert Frank Bonner: Curator with Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum Trust. For services to Fire and Rescue Heritage.

Richard John Clarke: Crew Manager with Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. For services to The Fire Fighters Charity and to the community in Suffolk.

Russell William Crispin: Firefighter with London Fire Brigade. For services to the Fire and Rescue Service and to the community in East London.

King’s Fire Service Medal (England and Wales)

Donna Joanne Bentley MBE: Head of Strategic Safeguarding with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

Roderic Andrew Hammerton: Lately Chief Fire Officer with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Peter Patrick Heath: Deputy Chief Fire Officer with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Gavin Andrew Tomlinson: Chief Fire Officer with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.

King’s Fire Service Medal (Scotland)

Matt Acton: Area Commander with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

A huge congratulations to all those named on the Honours List, from all of us at The Fire Fighters Charity, and below you can see a few of the posts from them:

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