Firefighters in Cumbria have shown they practice what they preach by being nominated for one of the nation's top health and safety awards.
Cumbria's Fire and Rescue Service has beaten off competition from a host of of other organisations to the make the shortlist for the prestigious public service category in this year's Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) awards.
The county's firefighters will be competing against East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for the coveted Public Service and Local Government Sector honour at a ceremony taking place in Birmingham next month.
To qualify for the award, the county's Fire and Rescue Service had to demonstrate a strong safety management system and at least four years of excellent or improving health and safety performance.
In awarding Cumbria a place on the shortlist, judges looked at the Fire and Rescue Service's success in reducing accidents amongst personnel and its investment in training and specialist equipment to help firefighters carry out safer rescues in floods.
To remain 'on the run' as an operational firefighter, personnel must maintain a high-level of fitness and judges were particularly impressed with the introduction of gym equipment in all of Cumbria's 38 fire stations and special physical training advisors.
Councillor Elizabeth Barraclough, cabinet member responsible for Cumbria's Fire and Rescue Service, said: "To be nominated for this major national award is a tremendous achievement.
"We all know the great job Cumbrian firefighters do in helping to keep us all safe, but what is perhaps less well known is the work constantly being done behind the scenes to improve the health and safety of personnel.
David Rawlins, Awards Manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said. "Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service has demonstrated how seriously it takes health and safety management and is a fine example to many other companies. We would like to see more organisations following their lead".
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