Firefighters from Brampton and Longtown have been named as the top council workers in the country.
The two Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service crews picked up the Team of the Year award at last night's prestigious Local Government Association Council Workers of the Year annual awards in Bournemouth.
The crews won the award for their rescue of a farm worker who became trapped in agricultural machinery in a field near Brampton on 18th February 2008. The rescue saw firefighters use great ingenuity in dismantling the machine and deploying lifting-bags and other specialist equipment to free the victim, who was then airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital for urgent treatment.
They won the award after picking up the most public nominations - people could vote either online or by text. The crews beat off competition from Macclesfield Borough Council's bereavement services team, street cleaners from Oxford, a Sutton team specialising in putting people with learning disabilities into work, Manchester's rehabilitation outreach unit, and a team from Bournemouth which cleans up social housing.
Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said:
“The fact that this award is nominated by the public makes it even more special to win. These awards are the 'Oscars' of local government and it's a major honour for Cumbria to have won. Our retained fire crews are an essential part of the service we offer in the county and this recognition is a fitting testimony to their expertise and dedication."
Cllr Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member responsible for safer and stronger communities, said:
"The cool-headedness and quick thinking shown by the Brampton and Longtown crews in this incident is just one example of the exceptional work our firefighters do in this county - not only in responding to incidents, but also in preventing them happen in the first place. Everyone in Cumbria should feel very proud of what they've achieved."
ENDS
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332
Notes
The picture shows the team picking up the award.
From L-R Richard Marchant, managing director of award sponsors Capita Symonds, Brampton watch manager Vince Jobson, Longtown firefighter Steven Bulman, Longtown firefighter Paul Steele, Longtown watch manager Kevin Byers, awards presenter Jeremy Vine.