Healthier firefighters at the Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards

FIRE magazine is pleased to announce that a Healthier Firefighters Award has been added to this year’s categories, placing firefighter safety, health and wellbeing at the forefront of the sector’s leading awards

The Healthier Firefighters Award: Excellence in Contaminants and Decontamination is the latest addition to the Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards.

Sponsored by Vimpex Scandecon, the award will be presented to an individual, team or organisation that evidences science based solutions/projects that have tangible benefits to firefighter health outcomes, particular a reduction in exposure to, or removal of, carcinogenic elements. The winner will demonstrate reduction of exposure to contaminants on the fireground, decontamination systems/facilities processes evidenced to reduce exposure to carcinogens, or education/research projects to further understanding of contaminants and avoidance of carcinogens.

Commenting on the new addition, FIRE Editor Andrew Ledgerton-Lynch said: “I am delighted to add this category to this year’s awards as firefighter safety and wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. Working with Vimpex Scandecon, we are looking to build on the tremendous progress being made globally to highlight what works well. We will also be working together on projects in the near future which we will announce shortly.”

The Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards 2023 was well received with winners and attendees celebrating together. In response to winning the Most Influential Woman in Fire Award Chief Fire Officer Kathryn Billing, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“I would like to thank Excellence in Fire and Emergency for their ongoing commitment to our sector and the amazing people who commit to delivering innovation and inspiration across all they do. Thank you to the sponsors for their support, your contribution makes the event very special and our sector stronger.

“When I look back across previous winners and think of those incredible strong, inspirational and hard working women I work alongside within the sector, I am humbled being named as this years “most inspirational woman in fire”. There are definitely a team of women behind every woman as we all work to inspire and support each other.

“I am privileged to have been a part of Women in the Fire Service for over a decade and I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for WFS. Their work continues to drive real improvement and make a difference to so many people and the sector as a whole.

“This award has certainly put an extra spring in my step to continue to do my small part to make our sector the best it can be and inclusive for one and all. Thank you.

“As we look to ten years of the Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards in 2024, inspirational women across the sector I am sure will continue to feature throughout all award categories.”