In the 2021 New Year Honours List Watch Manager Chris Martin from Ramsbury Fire Station has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the local community.
Watch Manager Chris Martin from Ramsbury Fire Station has served the village of Ramsbury, Wiltshire as an on-call firefighter for over 40 years. The fire station in Ramsbury Fire Station has seen many of Chris’ family as staff members over the years and at one stage, Chris’ sons were both part of the team. Adam joined the Service in 1998 and Jeremy in 2003.
Chris has worked tirelessly to ensure the fire engine remains available to attend incidents, as well as training and developing new firefighters. Key to this was the effective recruitment and retention of on-call firefighters including his recruitment of one of the first female firefighters into the then Wiltshire Fire Brigade in 1992.
During a meeting with HRH The Prince of Wales in 2017, the Prince praised Chris’ incredible selfless devotion, commitment and loyalty to the fire service and the people of Ramsbury.
Watch Manager Chris Martin said: “I am thrilled to have been nominated and receive such an honour in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year Honours List. I would like to say a big thank you to my family and all those who have supported me over the last 40 years.
I would also like to thank all the firefighters I have worked with, who have made my time in the fire service most enjoyable. I am also extremely grateful to my customers in my main decorating business who have been very understanding when I have often left their houses mid job when my alerter goes off, sometimes for several hours.
Being an on-call firefighter is a commitment not only from me but my family as well and they continue to support me. I am always pleased to be able to help and support my local community in any way I can and to receive this medal in return is a true honour.”
Chair of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Rebecca Knox, said: “It is a real honour and excellent news to have members of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service staff recognised by Her Majesty The Queen. I send my warmest congratulations.”
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