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07/06/07
Sixty-five members of staff are to receive special medals to recognise 20 years’ exemplary service to the people of West Yorkshire.
The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal ceremony, attended by civic dignitaries from across the county, will be held at Fire Service HQ in Birkenshaw on Saturday, 16 June (2.30pm).
PHOTOGRAPHERS WELCOME.
The Fire Service Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1954 but was only granted to firefighters and control room staff with 20 years’ outstanding service. West Yorkshire’s chief fire officer, Phil Toase, introduced a similar award locally for non-uniformed staff to mark their contribution.
The Presenting Officer this year will be the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr. Ingrid Roscoe.
Those medal recipients who have agreed to publicity are:
STATION MANAGER MICHAEL HUDSON who is currently in charge of South Elmsall and Hemsworth stations. He previously served in the Morley, Idle, Castleford and Pontefract areas and in the community fire safety team. He is an adviser on hazardous materials and received a divisional commander’s letter for meritorious conduct in 1989. He is married to Yvonne and has two children: Sian and Luke.
STATION MANAGER PAUL TAYLOR serves in the operations team at fire HQ but has also served in Bingley, Bradford, Cleckheaton, Keighley, Batley Odsal, Rothwell and Huddersfield. He received a commendation for his part in fighting a house fire in June 1987. Paul is married to Margaret and has a child: Bradley.
STATION MANAGER DAVID THEWLIS is in charge of Todmorden and Mytholmroyd stations. He has worked at Brighouse, Huddersfield and Slaithwaite stations and at HQ. He is also a specialist in hazardous materials. He is married to Ann and has one child: Alfie-Jo.
WATCH MANAGER MARK ROGERSON is based at Illingworth but is temporarily working at Keighley. He has served in both areas previously, and at Bradford. Mark is married to Suzanne and has two daughters: Katie and Lucy.
WATCH MANAGER PAUL MELLORS is based at Marsden and has a range of interests including the First World War. He is married to Janet and has a son and daughter: Alan and Hannah.
CREW MANAGER CHRISTOPHER MOORE works from Gipton/Garforth and has also served in Pontefract, Leeds and Stanks. He is married to Sheila and has two children: George and Charlie.
CREW MANAGER STEVEN MITCHELL is a member of Dewsbury’s Green Watch and has served in Pontefract, Wakefield, Ossett, Skelmanthorpe and in the urban search and rescue team. Steven received a commendation for rescuing three people from a house fire in Batley. He is married to Jane and has one child: Carly.
CREW MANAGER DAVID MANNING is at Brighouse and has served in Dewsbury, Halifax and Todmorden. He is married to Caroline and has two children: Katie and Rowan.
FIREFIGHTER MARK WILLIAMSON also serves at Brighouse. His hobbies include his family and cricket. He is married to Tracy and has two children: Serena and Jordan.
FIREFIGHTER STEVEN KIRTON has been based in Moortown but is now posted to Hunslet. He is the holder of a Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation. Steven is married to Denise and has four children: Joanne, Richard, Laura and Charlotte.
FIREFIGHTER LIAM BARRETT serves at Marsden Fire Station.
SUZANNE WRIGLEY works on Green Watch in the Mobilising and Communications Centre at HQ. She was awarded a commendation in 1991.