Gold Award for SBDC (26/07/06)

South Bedfordshire District Council has been awarded gold by the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service. The award was presented at an awards evening last Wednesday attended by Mr Samuel Whitbread, JP the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and representatives of the fire service and their families.

The Gold award was to acknowledge the commitment of the District Council in releasing officers for retained fire fighting duties. Andy Lewis, Team Leader Economic Regeneration at the Council who also received the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct medal, has been a retained fire fighter for over 20 years.

The award was accepted on behalf of the council by the Chairman, Councillor Pat Hamill. Speaking after the event Councillor Hamill said: "We have been delighted to support Andy in his vital work as a retained fire fighter over the years, and it is has been of great benefit to the community. I think that receiving this award also underlines the commitment we have as an employer to each employee and to their personal development."

Andy Lewis who is a Watch Commander based at Toddington fire station values the importance of having an employer who appreciates the need for the extensive training required and the unsociable hours which come with the territory of being a retained fire fighter. "I am very fortunate in that I have two rewarding careers but it has only been possible due the support and understanding of colleagues at SBDC".