Outstanding teams and individuals celebrated at annual awards ceremony

UNSUNG heroes, inspirational leaders and outstanding teams were among those celebrated at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service’s annual awards ceremony.

The ceremony, which took place at Hundith Hill Hotel in the picturesque Lorton Valley near Cockermouth on Friday (24 October), saw 10 awards presented to teams or individuals who had excelled in their service.

The awards were presented by members of the service’s leadership team, Cumbria’s police, fire and crime commissioner David Allen, and High Sheriff of Cumbria Dr Geoffrey Charles Jolliffe.

Paul Hancock, Chief Fire Officer at Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, said: 

“It is vital that we recognise and celebrate the passion, dedication and commitment shown by all those who protect our communities.

“We have worked hard to build the ‘Cumbria Vibe’ and a culture of positivity, collaboration, care and mutual respect, and the opportunity to shine a light on some of our individuals and teams who go above and beyond only reinforces that.

“Congratulations to all our nominees and winners – and indeed, thank you to those who weren’t nominated this time but continue to do incredible work to make Cumbria a safer place for all.”

The first award of the day, the Community Contribution Award, was presented to Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Station for their response to a devastating major fire in December 2024, and their professionalism and compassion in supporting the community in its aftermath.

The ‘THACK’ Values Award recognised Victoria Barnes, HR Advisor, for embodying the values the service leadership team hold themselves accountable to, the Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to the team behind the Developing Resilience Programme course organised in Ulverston to raise aspirations for young people, and Carlisle Crew Manager Jennie Forster scooped the Inspirational Leader Award.

Megan Stephenson, Community Resuscitation Engagement Officer at North West Ambulance Service, clinched the Community Ambassador of the Year Award for her collaboration with the service to reinstate 29 working defibrillators across the county’s fire stations – a number of which have already been used to provide urgent medical treatment in the community.

Sedbergh Fire Station was recognised with the Team of the Year Award for their response to an emotionally-challenging incident involving a member of their community with precision, composure and professionalism.

Community Safety Advisor Natalie Park received the Unsung Hero Award for her selfless service, while long-serving Station Manager Paul Dean was the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award for his major project work and exceptional incident command.

Watch Manager Alasdair Guthrie was named the service’s EDI Champion for transforming the experience of neurodiverse firefighters, and long-serving Maryport firefighter Stephen Iredale received the On-Call Champion Award for his on-call commitment, proactive recruitment and willingness to help shape the service.

Also presented on the day were Chief Fire Officer’s Commendations for Barrow Red Watch, Whitehaven Red Watch, and Ryan Palmer and Gavin McGarrigle.

A Chief Fire Officer’s Certificate of Appreciation was also awarded to Dr Theo Weston MBE, founder of the BEEP Doctors charity, for his thousands of voluntary hours responding to life-threatening emergencies across Cumbria day and night.

Community Contribution Award

• Winner – Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Station
• Highly Commended – Joe Kirkup, Keswick Fire Station

SLT’s ‘THACK’ Values Award

• Winner – Victoria Barnes
• Highly Commended – North Yorkshire Wildfire Response team, Protection team, Pensions team

Outstanding Achievement Award

• Winner – Ulverston Developing Resilience Programme team
• Highly Commended –Steve Brockbank, Penrith Fire Station

Inspirational Leader Award

• Winner – Jennie Forster
• Highly Commended – Alan Spiers, Colin Wright, Jason Ferguson

Community Ambassador of the Year Award

• Winner – Megan Stephenson
• Highly Commended – Biker Down volunteers, Cameron McGarel

Team of the Year Award

• Winner – Sedbergh Fire Station
• Highly Commended – Preparedness team (Operational Planning, Learning and Development), Carlisle Blue Watch

Unsung Hero Award

• Winner – Natalie Park
• Highly Commended – Lee Denton, Brian Lister

Outstanding Contribution Award

• Winner – Paul Dean
• Highly Commended – Andrew Millray, Seamus Brenan

EDI Champion Award

• Winner – Alasdair Guthrie
• Highly Commended – Orlanda Wright, Kelly Drury

On-Call Champion Award

• Winner – Stephen Iredale
• Highly Commended – Darren Wright, Willy Watson, Katie Norman