Fire service colleagues named in the King’s Birthday Honours 2023

His Majesty the King has today (16 June) announced his Birthday Honours – his first since being crowned King, with several people from fire and rescue services being recognised.

Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Mark Hardingham, was amongst the first to congratulate those who have received an accolade for dedication to their work and personal leadership within the fire sector.

“My heartfelt congratulations go to all those fire and rescue colleagues that have been recognised.  It’s a particularly proud moment for me to see recipients who have played such significant national roles with the NFCC receiving recognition.  I am equally delighted that colleagues who are not, or are no longer, directly employed by fire and rescue services receiving recognition for the roles they carry out alongside and in support of fire and rescue services. Their dedication and enthusiasm, along with all other recipients, is admirable and they should be very proud.

 “I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the outstanding work of all fire and rescue service colleagues which is clearly evident to the communities they so ably serve 365 days a year.”

 The list below highlights people from fire and rescue services who have received a King’s Birthday Honour.

OBE

• Keith Donnelly, Fire and Rescue Service Advisor UK. For services to Fire and Rescue

• Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch, Editor, Fire Magazine. For services to The Fire Fighters Charity and Fire Safety

MBE

• Karen Farr, Children and Young Persons Manager, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Young People and Public Safety

BEM

• Robert Bonner, Curator, Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum Trust. For services to Fire and Rescue Heritage
• Russell Crispin, Firefighter, London Fire Brigade. For services to Fire and Rescue Service and the community in East London
• Richard Clarke, Crew Manager, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. For services to the Fire Fighters Charity and the community in Suffolk

ENGLAND AND WALES

King’s Fire Service Medal (K.F.S.M.)

Donna Joanne BENTLEY MBE, Head of Strategic Safeguarding, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

Roderic Andrew HAMMERTON, lately Chief Fire Officer, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Peter Patrick HEATH, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Gavin Andrew TOMLINSON, Chief Fire Officer, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.

SCOTLAND

Matt Acton, Area Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

The honours system recognises people who have made achievements in public life, committed themselves to serving and helping Britain. People receiving the honours would have been nominated for having made life better for other people, or for being outstanding at what they do.

The decision about whether someone gets an honour and what they receive is taken by an honours committee. The committee’s decision go to the Prime Minister and then to the King, who awards the honour.