A FIREFIGHTER who lives in Winsford has been presented with a medal for 20 years exemplary service during a ceremony at Eaton Estate, Chester.

Watch Manager Jonathan Caulfield, who works at Crewe Fire Station, was presented with The Long Service Good Conduct Medal which celebrates those members of the Fire and Rescue Service who have completed 20 years’ exemplary service.

Jon was presented with his medal, along with colleagues also receiving the award, by Cheshire’s Lord Lieutenant David Briggs at an awards evening in the Wolf Room on Eaton Park, Eaton Estate, on March 21 2016.

A member of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s support staff also received a 40 year service award. Ursula Jones works in the Human Resourses Department at the Winsford Headquarters and lives in Ellesmere Port.

“The Fire Service Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is issued by Royal Warrant, and I was therefore honoured to make the award on behalf of Her Majesty. I extend my sincere congratulations to all medal and award recipients on their long and exemplary service. The job they do requires humility and respect often delivered under arduous conditions. Theirs is a special job, a vocation for which they have been deservedly honoured.” said the Lord Lieutenant.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock added: “The special awards were presented to individuals who have served for 20 years and who have, in that time, shown exemplary behaviour.

“I would like to congratulate everyone who received a medal or an award which is a great honour, and thank them for their dedication to the service, especially one individual who have worked tirelessly for the organisation for 40.”

During his career Jon has worked at Chester Fire Station and at Service Headquarters in Winsford in the training department.

Jon has two young sons and lives in Winsford with his wife Hannah who was there to see her husband being presented with the medal, along with his mum Maureen. Dignitaries, principal officers and members of the Cheshire Fire Authority also attended.

Dating back more than 60 years, the medal was instigated by the then Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, who supported an award for Fire and Rescue Service personnel who had successfully completed twenty years service.

A Royal Warrant was approved by Her Majesty the Queen and an announcement was made in the House of Commons by Winston Churchill on June 1st 1954, accompanied by a White Paper giving the terms of the Warrant.

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is hand-stamped with the recipient’s name and awarded to those individuals who have completed twenty years’ exemplary service.