West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) proudly celebrated success at the prestigious Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards, held in London on Friday 6 December 2024. The annual event, now in its tenth year, highlights the exceptional work of individuals and teams in fire and emergency services across the UK.
This year, WMFS was shortlisted in eight of the 17 categories, a testament to the breadth and quality of the work of our people. We’re thrilled to share that two of our nominees took home top honours in their respective categories.
Watch Commander Jim McParland of our Technical Rescue Unit was named Unsung Hero, in recognition of his extraordinary fundraising efforts at local, national, and international levels throughout his career.
Group Commander Samantha Samuels, now retired, received the Most Influential Ethnic Minority Individual in Fire Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates her trailblazing 34 years of dedicated service and her impact as a role model for others in the fire service.
Speaking about the event, Simon Barry, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: “Our staff were up against exceptionally strong competition this year, the strongest the organisers believe they’ve ever seen. To be nominated and win awards and be recognised among your peers is a fantastic testament to the exceptional work our staff put in inside and outside of work, and I am so proud of them.
“These awards demonstrate the character and calibre of our staff, the values they hold, and their commitment to being their best for the communities of the West Midlands. We pride ourselves on creating and fostering an environment our staff can thrive in, and they should rightly be delighted with their successes.”
The awards, hosted annually by FIRE Magazine, showcase the incredible contributions made by fire and emergency service professionals, from innovation and leadership to public service and community impact.
WMFS is proud to stand alongside many inspiring colleagues and congratulate all nominees and winners.
