NORTH Wales Fire and Rescue staff were recently honoured at their 2022 Awards Ceremony.

The coveted ceremony was held in Rhyl on the evening of Thursday, October 27 and saw members of the service recognised for their longstanding service and commitment.

Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Edmund Seymour Bailey presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals as well as 30 and 40-years clasps to operational staff from the service.

The Long Service and Good Conduct medals are awarded to firefighters by His Majesty’s Representatives to recognise 20 years of service, whilst the clasps are issued in recognition of 30 and 40 years’ service.

Awards recognising 50 years of operational service as well as community awards to recognise members of staff and the community who have worked hard to improve community safety in North Wales were also presented by Dawn Docx, chief fire officer and Councillor Dylan Rees, chair of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.

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Dawn Docx said: "Receiving a medal or clasp is an important occasion for every firefighter and this ceremony demonstrates the degree of commitment and dedication each one of the recipients has given to the Fire and Rescue Service in North Wales.

“All recipients can take pride and satisfaction in receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals or clasps.

“I was also delighted this year that we were able to celebrate the community awards for the first time since the pandemic. 

“My heartfelt congratulations go to all those who attended, as well as to the staff who opted to receive their medals or recognition privately. Your service is truly appreciated, both by me as chief fire officer, your colleagues and by the communities we all serve.”

Councillor Dylan Rees, chair of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, added: “On behalf of members of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority I would like to congratulate everyone who received a medal, clasp, or award. 

“Many thanks to you all for your dedication.”

Those recognised include: 

Long Service and Good Conduct Medals

  • Craig Grant, acting watch manager, Abersoch 
  • Jason Jones, watch manager, Porthmadog and WDS rural firefighter
  • Adam Clubbe, crew manager, Llangollen 
  • Dewi Jones, crew manager, Holyhead 
  • Mark Lind, crew manager, Bala
  • Matthew Macdonald, acting crew manager, Denbigh 
  • Colin Davies, firefighter, Colwyn Bay
  • Jaspal Dhaliwal, firefighter, Prestatyn 
  • Jayne Greene, firefighter, Wrexham 

30-year Clasp 

  • Stewart Forshaw, deputy chief fire officer 
  • Paul Scott, head of ICT, Control and the Central Area
  • John Paul Morris, watch manager, Holyhead Fire Station
  • Neville Weston, crew manager, Abergele Fire Station
  • Blythe Roberts

40-year Clasp

Tommy Rowlands, watch manager, Llanfairfechan and WDS rural watch manager

Community Awards 

Outstanding Dedication to Service Award

Winner - David Bithell, watch manager, Wrexham and Fire Extinguisher and Hydrant Engineer

Full-time Station of the Year

Winner - Wrexham Fire Station 

On-call Station of the Year 

Winner - Dolgellau Fire Station 

Community Safety Partner Award 

Winner - Unicook 

Oustanding Contribution by an Individual

Winner - Ian Butler, watch manager Benllech and at the Joint Communications Centre

Commitment to the Welsh Language Award

Winner - Brian Holmes, operational assurance manager for Conwy and Denbighshire 

Commitment to Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Award

Winner - Mark Kassab, retired

Employer of the Year Award

Winners - Morris Cook (Llangollen), Ruth Lee (Corwen) and Harlech Golf Club

Learner of the Year 

Winner - Sam Wright, apprentice firefighter, Wrexham

Contribution to Diversity Award 

Winners - Jamie Lewis is the health, fitness and wellbeing adviser and Amy Croxton, recruitment and availability manager for the east area. 

Commitment to Charity Award

Winner - Paul Williams, firefighter, Caernarfon Fire Station 

Department of the Year Award

Winner - Joint Communications Centre (JCC), St Asaph