Birthday honours award for key member of HWFRS support staff

A long-serving member of the support staff at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Sonja Sinclair-Elechi, who has worked for HWFRS for 30 years, has been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service.

She joined HWFRS in June 1995 in an administrative capacity but in 2005 she spearheaded the formation of a Critical Incident Support Team (CIST) to provide a professional debriefing and trauma support after high-impact events.

Now, 20 years on, she manages, along with two co-ordinators, a team of 29 professionals who make a real difference behind the scenes.

Then, in 2018, she established the Welfare Team, supporting colleagues facing stress, anxiety and a host of wellbeing challenges.

All this alongside her role as a payroll officer.

“I am truly humbled and deeply honoured to receive the KFSM,” said Sonja.

“Knowing that those who nominated me believed I was deserving of such recognition is both touching and inspiring.

“I feel incredibly blessed.”

“I am immensely proud that Sonja has been recognised by His Majesty the King and awarded to King’s Fire Service Medal,” said Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce, who also holds the King’s Fire Service Medal.

“Sonja has for many years developed and overseen HWFRS’s welfare, staff support and counselling team, much of it in her own time, as well as working full-time in our payroll dept for 30 years.

“Sonja’s unstinting commitment to the welfare of all our staff has meant that, for many years, staff in the Service have received much needed welfare, counselling and support, often at the most critical times.

“This is not only for our operational staff following traumatic events, but for all staff who are struggling for a range of reasons and need someone to talk to. I know she has improved the lives of those she has helped, and this honour in recognition of this work is well deserved.”

Other colleagues have been quick to praise Sonja’s huge contribution to the Service.

“Sonja has been a constant source of strength, kindness, and wisdom for so many of us,” said Watch Commander Rich Cooper, a colleague in CIST.

“Her commitment to our team, our colleagues and their families has always gone above and beyond. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the heart and integrity she brings to everything she does.

“This achievement is a beautiful reflection of all the years Sonja has given to helping others thrive. I know I speak for many when I say how grateful we are for her, and how proud we are to see her honoured in this way.”

“It’s absolutely amazing news and so well deserved for an amazing woman who has done so much for us,” added Group Commander Phill Sanders.

And Group Commander Simon Cusack added: “It’s fantastic news; I’m so pleased for Sonja.”

FIRE Magazine

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