Firefighters honoured at ceremony

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KRFS) held a special ceremony to honour its firefighters.

Awards were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Viscount De L’Isle, Nick Chard, chairman of Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority (KMFRA) and Ann Millington, KFRS’s chief executive, at Oakwood House in Maidstone.

Eight operational staff received 20-year long service awards, while five members of the public joined the many serving fire crews and support staff in receiving certificates of commendation.

These included school pupil Jack Gove, from Strood, who was commended his quick thinking in a house fire at his home, KFRS distribution driver Michael Johnson, who helped a man having multiple seizures in Canterbury and co-responders Jason Jones and Mark Winchcombe who helped an injured four year-old boy at Sevenoaks.

FM4554684 Archie Smith, three, with mum June Smith

Jason Jones, left, and Mark Winchcombe, recognised for their efforts helping a young injured boy