TWO NORTH Wales firefighters have been awarded in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the community.

While off-duty one Saturday last year, watch manager of Llangollen Fire Station Ben Lloyd and firefighter Richard Slater came across an elderly gentleman who was taken ill on Regent Street in Llangollen.

They provided excellent immediate care to the patient while waiting for an ambulance and paramedics to arrive.

The gentleman's father was so impressed with their actions that he wrote to the Chief Fire Officer to praise them both as he explained they went above and beyond. Nothing was too much trouble for either of them, and their professionalism made the job of the paramedics easier when they arrived.

L-R: Jacob Williams, Richard Slater, Jane Honey, Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, Ben Lloyd, Tommy Rowlands and Kevin JonesL-R: Jacob Williams, Richard Slater, Jane Honey, Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, Ben Lloyd, Tommy Rowlands and Kevin Jones (Image: Llangollen Fire Service)

Ben, who has been working as a retained fire fighter in the fire service for 16-years this November, said: "The awards night was a fantastic evening, these are held every year to recognise achievements by all members of staff in all departments. The evening was spent celebrating all achievements with family and friends.

"Its was really special to be recognised for the award. We do this job to help people when they are in need of help within our communities and never except the recognition as its just something that is engrained with in us.

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"As a member of staff within North Wales fire and rescue service I am always conscious that I’m never really off call as it’s a very respected role to have within a community and I am always representing North Wales fire and rescue service on or off duty.

"The gentleman we helped was a firefighter in Llangollen for many years in the 70’s and 80’s and is a true gentleman, I’ve known him and the family all my life growing up, so to help someone who I have grown up knowing is a heart-warming feeling."

On behalf of Richard, Ben added: "The family and the gentleman have been to the station and shown their gratitude to us. The fire service provides us with amazing training to deal with all kinds of scenarios and will help anyone in their time of need."

The pair celebrated on Thursday, October 3 with friends, family and colleagues. A huge congratulations to them both.