On Friday 19 July, our BFRS family came together for our annual People Awards event, a night dedicated to recognising the outstanding contributions and achievements from our members of staff. This event was a resounding success, filled with moments of pride, joy, and inspiration.
This year, we had 10 awards categories, each award acknowledged colleagues who had gone above and beyond, highlighting exceptional work and recognising those who continue to take our new promise, values and behaviours in their stride. The nominations were filled out by staff, judged anonymously and announced on the night.
These awards celebrated exceptional work from individuals who have embraced our promise to deliver an excellent, modern, and agile Fire & Rescue Service for our community. The winners include those who have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the service has the right staff with the right skills at the right time to keep our community safe, while consistently striving to protect and safeguard people and places.
A message from our CFO Louise Harrison
“I am proud to work alongside incredibly skilled and dedicated individuals and teams who embody the values of public service. The People Awards, a significant event in our calendar, is our way of formally recognising and celebrating their outstanding achievements. This event is all about our people, from the nominations to the judging panels. Each award highlights the exceptional contributions of our staff, who continually strive to make a positive impact within our Service and the broader community. “
Award categories
This year, we received an overwhelming number of nominations, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication within our organisation.
Here are winners for each category:
Culture and Inclusion Award
Anna Ditta, Marie Crothers and Megan Carroll for their work on White Ribbon.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing Award
Darren Shepherd for his dedication to creating a safe working environment.
Innovation Award
Kev Mercer for his innovative solutions that support USAR (Urban Search and Rescue team).
Rising Talent Award
Reagan Spinks for his ambitious approach to learning and development seeking out opportunities to support his own growth.
Impact Award
Craig Newman for his extensive knowledge and unwavering commitment, enabling informed decision-making within the service.
Danny Graham for his enthusiasm and commitment, tirelessly working to improve the culture at West Ashland Fire Station.
Community Action Award
Ceremonial Team for selflessly volunteering their time to provide ceremonial duties at Service events. Their tireless efforts embody the spirit of community service.
Operational Team of the Year
West Ashland Red Watch for their dedication and teamwork throughout the year supporting both team and community events, creating a great culture.
Marlow On-Call for their work increasing both recruitment and retention at the station, through ongoing engagement on social media and creative training events.
Support Team of the Year
Marketing and Communication team for their work engaging with teams to help develop and deliver communications, from who will be the next face of Test it Tuesday, through to developing our new Promise, values & behaviours.
Resource Management Team for continuing to maximise Operational appliance availability, working with crews to ensure that every day the service has the right number of appliances available to serve our community.
Chief Fire Officer’s Outstanding Service Award
Emma Wren for being the cornerstone of the training team ensuring our staff have the right skills at the right time. Juggling courses and people’s availability with a smile and a can-do attitude.
Emma’s passion and conscientiousness have also been instrumental in organising numerous community events at station level.
Emma’s tireless efforts have not only increased the value and morale of her colleagues but also made a significant impact on the community.
Chairmans Award
Chris Montague for being a beacon of passion, and leadership within Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. His commitment to fostering a positive culture, promoting high standards, and providing unwavering support to his colleagues is truly commendable.
His influence extends beyond the confines of the station, impacting the community through his involvement in local food banks, school visits, and community engagement events.
His approachability and genuine care for others have made him a trusted figure within the service and the community at large.
Huge congratulations to ALL the nominees and winners at this year’s People Awards.
Our Generous Sponsors
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, Delta Fire and Critico whose support made this event possible. Their contributions helped us create a memorable evening for everyone involved. If you would be interested in sponsoring next year’s event, please contact cteam@bucksfire.gov.uk
