Awards

GMFRS celebrates dedication, courage and professionalism of outstanding individuals


  • GMFRS Recognition Awards shine spotlight on individuals who went above and beyond to deliver for their communities
  • Firefighters, support staff, partner agencies and members of the public among those recognised for their outstanding contributions
  • More than 120 in attendance at Training and Safety Centre in Bury to celebrate these achievements

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has officially recognised an outstanding group of individuals for their dedication, courage and professionalism.

The Service’s latest Recognition Award events took place on the evenings of Wednesday, 16 July and Thursday, 17 July at its state-of-the-art Training and Safety Centre in Bury.

More than 120 guests were joined by representatives of the King, the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Diane Hawkins JP LLB and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL as well as Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green to celebrate their achievements.

A remarkable total of 48 individuals, made up of both operational colleagues and support staff, partner organisations, and members of the public were nominated for an award either as a team or individuals:

The awards featured two categories: the Certificate of Outstanding Performance, and the prestigious Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation. With 12 remarkable nominations, underlining the dedication displayed across all boroughs of Greater Manchester.

The nominations covered a wide range of scenarios from operational incidents to charity work including:

  • Exceptional dedication and leadership from Humaira Ahmed, as co-lead for our Race and Faith staff network during the far-right, anti-immigration protests and riots in the Summer of 2024.
  • One group’s regular charity work, to raise over £100,000 for Manchester Children’s Burns Camp Charity, as well as participating and facilitating of the camps to support young burns victims.
  • Evidence based intervention work, from Simon Ryder, to support prisoners across Greater Manchester and further aid a variety of strategies in the community.
  • The production and delivery of in depth, exemplary learning from Antony Henshall and James Willmott in response to the Manchester Arena inquiry findings, which have been used across the country by many Fire and Rescue Services and other organisations.
  • Unwavering commitment to saving lives demonstrated by Lewis Allen who performed effective CPR for over 15 minutes as well as coordinating with an off-duty nurse and bystander to locate and administer a defibrillator to a man who had collapsed at a rugby game.
  • Lifesaving actions to administer effective CPR and critical car to a colleague during training from Erika Corless and Robert Paton, from partner organisations Northwest Ambulance Service and London Ambulance Service.
  • Outstanding act of bravery and lifesaving actions which saw a member of the public, Rebecca Graham, save a vulnerable neighbour from a house fire.
  • Courageous and brave lifesaving acts from Joel Keates, a member of the public, who saved his neighbour from a house fire.
  • Exceptional professionalism and quick thinking from David Nelson to save lives in response to a road traffic incident whilst off duty.

Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russel, said: “We are proud to recognise these incredible individuals at these awards, those nominated display commitment to duty and their local community and are an inspiration to us all.

“The awards evenings were a great experience, and we hope that celebrating these achievements, will inspire others to continue our mission of protecting communities, working together and saving lives.”

For a full list of award recipients, email news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk.

Article Published: 31/07/2025 11:45 AM