NORTH Wales Fire Service personnel from Wrexham and Llangollen have been presented with Long Service and Good Conduct Medals by the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd Trevor Jones CBE.
The medal is awarded to firefighters by Her Majesty's representative in recognition of 20 years' service and Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith said: 'Receiving a medal is an important occasion for every firefighter and this ceremony collectively represents over 100 years of commitment and dedication to the Fire and Rescue Service in North Wales.
'All recipients can take pride and satisfaction in receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.'
Station Officer Philip Owen joined the former Clwyd Fire Service in November 1978 as a whole-time firefighter and after training began his duties at Deeside Fire Station.
Phil had a brief break in his fire service career from September 1980 to November 1981, when he moved to live in Switzerland. On his return to the UK he rejoined Clwyd Fire Service and continued his service as a firefighter at Wrexham Fire Station in November 1981.
He was promoted to Leading Firefighter at Wrexham in December 1989 and in August 1995 he was the Officer in Charge of the first attendance to the tragic fire in Nelson Street in Wrexham, for which he received a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation.
Phil was transferred to North Wales Fire Service in April 1996 in common with all the recipients and achieved promotion to Sub Officer in the Fire Safety Department of East Division HQ in Wrexham in May 1998. He later transferred to Deeside Fire Station in September 2002. In October 2003 Phil gained further promotion to Station Officer in the Fire Safety Department based at Wrexham.
Group Manager Paul Whybro joined the former Clwyd Fire Service in May 1984 as a whole-time firefighter based at Rhyl. In October of the same year he was transferred to Wrexham and then promoted to Leading Firefighter at Deeside in June 1990.
After a period of two years of temporary promotion he was promoted to Sub Officer at Wrexham. In 1997 he became Station Officer in the training department based at the Fire Service Headquarters in Rhyl.
In November 1999 Paul transferred to Wrexham Fire Station and in April of last year he was promoted to Assistant Divisional Officer in the Fire Safety Department of East Division HQ in Wrexham.
Following the recent restructuring of North Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Paul has now become the County Safety Manager for Wrexham.
Leading Firefighter Timothy Williams joined the former Clwyd Fire Service as a retained firefighter in December 1982 at Wrexham Fire Station. In January 1991 he became a whole-time firefighter at Wrexham.
In August 1998 he gained promotion to Leading Firefighter at Wrexham where he is currently serving.
Firefighter David Ensor joined the former Clwyd Fire Service as a retained firefighter at Llangollen Fire Station in June 1984 and continues to serve as a firefighter in Llangollen.
Leading Control Operator Judith Ford, who lives in Wrexham, joined the former Clwyd Fire Service as a temporary Control Room Operator in November 1983.
After periods of temporary promotion she was made Leading Control Operator in April 1998, which is the post she stiil holds today, although she is currently Acting Senior Control Operator in the Fire & Rescue Control in Rhyl.
