Awards Ceremony Honours Local Firefighters

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) held a special awards ceremony at Oakwood House in Maidstone yesterday (Tuesday 4th October) to honour firefighters and a South East Coast Ambulance Service advanced ambulance technician.

They were all presented with a Chief Executive's Certificate of Congratulation, in front of colleagues, family and friends at the special ceremony attended by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Kent, Viscount De L'Isle MBE, the Chairman of Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) Nick Chard and KFRS Chief Executive Ann Millington.

Ross Millburn from Sittingbourne ambulance station and Sittingbourne fire crew: watch manager Neil Ryder, crew manager Kev Ford and firefighters Terry Godley, Nick Gammon, Nick Williams and Antony Forster all received the award for their attempts to save the life of an 18-year-old girl, after she collapsed and fell onto the tracks at Sittingbourne train station last November. Sadly despite their valiant efforts the girl later died in hospital.

KMFRA Chairman, Nick Chard told SFM News: "Our firefighters and their emergency service colleagues do a difficult job in challenging circumstances. This was a very harrowing experience for everyone involved and you all did your absolute best to try to save this young girl. Our thoughts are with her family. We greatly value every one receiving awards and recognise the important contribution you have made. I would also like to pay tribute to all of KFRS' firefighters and staff and to thank each and every one of you for always going above and beyond to keep us safe."