6/5/2008 - Grayrigg train crash heroes up for Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service award

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service is to recognise employees and members of the public who have gone the extra mile in the interests of public safety at its second annual awards ceremony.

Firefighters who were first on the scene at last year's Grayrigg train crash and members of the public who devote their free time to making their communities safer places to live, are just some of the Cumbrians nominated in the Together Towards Success awards which take place this Friday evening (9 May) at Penrith's North Lakes Hotel.

The awards, which are being funded by Nuclear Management Partners, also include categories for firefighters who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in community safety initiatives and crew members who are regarded as pillars of their local community

The shortlist for each of the twelve award categories has been drawn up by an independent panel of judges drawn from Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and Nuclear Management Partners. Winners will be announced on the night at a glittering Oscar-style ceremony.

Councillor Gary Strong, cabinet member responsible for Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, said: "The Together Towards Success awards are a celebration of all the hard work that goes into delivering Fire and Rescue services in Cumbria.

Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: "These awards are a way of saying thank you to the firefighters and members of the public who work tirelessly to keep our county safe.

Iain Irving, West Cumbria Director of Operations for Nuclear Management Partners, said: "Nuclear Management Partners is proud to sponsor these awards for the second year running and, in doing so, honouring the work of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service."

ENDS

Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.

Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228 226337.

Notes

Below is a list of the nominees in each of the Together Towards Success Awards categories. Photos of the winners and background information on each will be available after the event.

Award for Community Leadership 

Sean Atkinson, Carlisle

Community Safety Team, Barrow

Callum Graham, Justine Liddell and Gary Wilson, Kendal Community Risk Management Department

Award for Pillar of the Community

Kevin James, Milnthorpe

David Moore, Seascale

Bruce Wilson, Carlisle 

Award for Backroom Brilliance

All Watches, Fire Control

Angela Woodhouse and John Moody, SHQ

Dalston and Kendal Workshops 

Award for Volunteer of the Year

Spike Johnson

Lynette Francis

Graham Bromley 

Award for Service with a Smile

Peter Higgins, Barrow

Pat Turner and Joan Welsh, Carlisle

Susan Sowerby, SHQ 

The Green Award

Angela Woodhouse, SHQ

Patsy Twomey, Barrow

Mike Hope, Penrith - Learning and Development 

Award for an Effective/ Imaginative Partnership

Mark Roach, Barrow and Central and Hindpool Neighbourhood Management Team Green Watch/Retained Crew, Workington, Derwent Solway Housing Association, Childrens Services, Allerdale Borough Council and Victoria Infant School Community Risk Management, SHQ and Children's Services 

Award for Best Innovative Idea

Anthony Rooney and White Watch, Carlisle Graeme Hodkin/Christine Stone - Cumbria Constabulary, Alan MacDonald -Young Cumbria and Mark Smith, Workington 

The Colleagues Award

David McDowell/Alan Clements/Michael Jolly, Egremont Retained 

Bob Nixon, SHQ

Jen Petcher, Barrow 

Award for Operational Excellence

John Hogg, Mike Edgar and White Watch, Workington Green Watch, Control Regular and Retained Crews, Kendal and Retained Crew, Milnthorpe 

Award for Lifelong Learning

Mike Smith, Carlisle

Neil Denny, Kendal, Kevin Johnston, Carlisle, Steve Wright, Barrow and Andy Bezusko, Workington -Watch Managers, Learning and Development 

Award for Equality and Diversity

Tracey O'Roarty, Carlisle

Craig Drinkald and Tony Paterson, Carlisle Community Risk Management Department, Kendal