Professionalism and partnership working celebrated at NFCC’s Prevention Awards 2024

Fire and rescue service (FRS) Prevention teams from across the UK were recognised at NFCC’s Celebrating Prevention Awards 2024 last week.

More than 70 nominations were received by the judging panel recognising the incredible work FRSs are undertaking across road, home and water safety, as well as safeguarding, children & young people and partnership working.

All the nominations demonstrated some fantastic Prevention practice from FRSs across the country, and the excellence of nominations made the decisions by the judging panels hard work with a great deal of discussion.

Particularly poignant this year was the introduction of The Donna Crossman Children & Young People Award building on the legacy of Donna changing the lives of so many young people, and to ensure that her memory is continued to be honoured and remembered by all in the sector.

The Outstanding Contribution Award this year went to Dawn Whittaker, CFO of East Sussex FRS and National Water Safety Lead, who will be retiring this December.

This year’s Celebrating Prevention Awards winners are:

• Road Safety Award – Annabelle Priest, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
• Home Safety Award – Humberside Prevention Team, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service.
• Water Safety Award – Prevention Department, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
• Safeguarding Award – Lisa Bryan, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.
• Children and Young People Award – The All-Wales Children and Young People Group, The Three Welsh Fire and Rescue Services.
• The Donna Crossman, Children and Young People Award – Lester James, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
• Partnership Working Award – Community Wellbeing Officer Project Team, East Region FRSs (Bedfordshire FRS, Cambridgeshire FRS and Essex County FRS) with East of England Ambulance Service.
• Outstanding Contribution – Dawn Whittaker, CFO East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and National Water Safety Lead.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners whose work is making a tangible difference to Prevention activities and community safety across the UK.