BFSA News & Events

The British Fire Services Association would like to congratulate all of the Fire & Rescue Service recipients of Honours in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours.

OBE.

Keith Michael Donnelly. Fire & Rescue Service Advisor.

Andrew Fraser Legerton-Lynch. Editor, Fire magazine

MBE.

Karen Jane Farr. Hampshire & Isle of Wight FRS.

BEM.

Robert Frank Bonner. Gtr. Manchester Fire Service Museum Trust.

Richard John Clarke. Crew Mgr. Suffolk FRS.

Russell William Crispin.  Ff. London Fire Brigade.

KFSM.

Donna Joanne Bentley, MBE. Hd. of Strategic Safeguarding. Essex County FRS.

Roderic Andrew Hammerton. Lately CFO, Shropshire FRS.

Peter Patrick Heath. DCFO, Tyne & Wear FRS.

Gavin Andrew Tomlinson. CFO, Derbyshire FRS.

Matthew Acton. Area Cmdr. Scottish FRS.

The BFSA AGM was held at Guildford Fire Station on 20th October, members were able to attend in-person and by Zoom.  The Chairmanship of the Association was handed over to Seamus Higgins, who is pictured presenting an association shield to the Station Commander.  At the meeting two members were elected to the grade of Fellow and another two as Honorary Life Members.

Following discussions with the Chief Fire Officer of Gibraltar Fire & Rescue Service an invitation had been received for the General Secretary to attend the presentation of 15 BFSA Long Service & Efficiency Bronze Medals to members of the Gibraltar F&RS. 

On Wednesday 11th May the General Secretary and Executive Vice President, Frank Turner arrived at the fire station for the presentation ceremony.   

The event took place on the steps of the adjacent botanical gardens. The event was attended by the Chief Fire Officer Colin Ramirez, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer Matthew Payas, the Gibraltar Gov’t Minister for Fire, The Hon Minister Sacramento together with other service officers, the medal recipients and their families. 

Following a welcome speech by the Chief Fire Officer, the General Secretary gave a speech detailing the history of the Association and its medals.  The Fire Minister then addressed those present and congratulated them on their achievements.

Following the ceremony there was a lunch in the GFRS Social Club where the BFSA Officers were able to meet the individual members and their families. 

The following day we had a tour of the GFRS fire station and a meeting with the CFO.  The CFO was presented with an Association plaque and some other items.  In return he presented a GFRS plaque. 

Next on the agenda was a trip to Gibraltar International Airport for a visit to the fire station as the Gibraltar Airport Fire & Rescue Service are also BFSA members and we were met by the SAFO Nicky Vinales who gave a tour of the facilities. 

After the morning visits we had a tour of Gibraltar given by recently retired Stn O Jason Mesilio and a wealth of Gibraltar knowledge. 

The conclusion of the visit was dinner with the Fire Risk Advisory Group hosted by the Chief Fire Officer. 

Gibraltar Fire & Rescue Service have been BFSA members for a number of years and as an overseas group fall under the Central Office rather than a District.  The visit was a fantastic opportunity to meet and engage with our Gibraltarian members and we thank them for a wonderful experience. 

Pictured are Medal recipients, CFO, DCFO, Fire Minister, General Secretary and BFSA Vice President after the ceremony.