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Home » News & Events » 2011 » February » Herefordshire volunteer team officially launched

Herefordshire volunteer team officially launched

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The volunteers, 11 men and three women, all joined HWFRS as Community Safety Volunteers in November last year following a targeted recruitment campaign in the Herefordshire area.


They have recently completed their volunteer training programme with the Service and join firefighters and members of the Community Safety department in a variety of roles in the organisation.

This will include helping with fire station open days, home fire safety referral visits and a range of community safety events.

The volunteer evening, which was held at Hereford Fire Station, started with Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates welcoming the volunteers and their guests, and was then followed by a short presentation highlighting the important contribution volunteers make to HWFRS's community safety work.

Councillor Brigadier Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority and Chief Fire Officer Yates then presented each volunteer with a framed certificate in recognition of the completion of their training.

CFO Yates said: "The Community Safety Volunteer Programme at H&WFRS now extends across the two counties and makes a real difference to the fire safety work we can do within our local communities.

"The programme depends on local people volunteering their time in this way and it's important that we acknowledge their hard work and on-going commitment.

"It means that firefighters can concentrate more on the operational aspect of their roles knowing that community safety volunteers will be helping support the service to deliver the important fire safety messages to the wider community. I'm impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm shown by the volunteers and would like to thank all of them for their contribution."

Carol Walmsley, H&WFRS's Volunteer Coordinator, added: "Community Safety Volunteers get involved in a wide range of events and activities and in doing so, play a vital role in informing and educating the local community and encouraging people to adopt safer habits at home and work.

"Their help is invaluable as we plan future events and community safety activities, and they deserve to be recognised in this way."

Rob Ball, Group Commander at HWFRS acted as Master of Ceremonies during the evening while Alex Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Community Development team at Herefordshire Council, and Councillors Polly Andrews and David Taylor also attended.