Firefighters from Brampton and Longtown have been shortlisted for this year’s Council Worker of the Year Awards.
The two Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service crews have been nominated in the team of the year category, 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 hospital.
The finalists, who will battle it out for local government’s most prestigious awards, are being announced today by the Local Government Channel, in association with the Local Government Association.
After an unprecedented 350 entries, 41 finalists from local councils across the UK have been shortlisted for the 7 award categories this year - Innovation, Leadership, Care and Commitment, Lifetime Service, Team of the Year and Bravery. Plus this year’s special category to reflect the extraordinary events of last year, Flood Response.
From today until 3rd July 2008, when the winners will be announced by BBC presenter Jeremy Vine at a gala dinner at this year’s LGA annual conference in Bournemouth, the competition is wide open.
It is now over to the public to decide who will win a trophy and £250 prize money. Cumbria County Council is calling on everyone to rally behind the Brampton and Longtown fire crews and by voting to give them the recognition they deserve.
People can show their support for the Brampton and Longtown crews by voting via the Cumbria County Council website http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/ or by texting 80039 and quoting ’LGATV 6 CUMBRIA’.
Voting starts today (1st May) at 12:00noon will continue right up 12:00noon on 3rd July 2008, when the winners will be announced.
More details on the Cumbria entry and the other finalists, including a film of their work, can be seen by going to http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/ (external link) and by tuning into Local Government Today on the Community Channel every day at 6.30am either on Sky 539, Virgin 233 or Freeview 87.
Last year hundreds of thousands of votes were cast and record numbers are expected this year due to the huge number of nominations and fierce competition.
Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: "The Brampton and Longtown crews showed exceptional cool-headedness and quick thinking in performing this rescue.
"Their actions enabled the air ambulance to transfer the victim to Newcastle General Hospital for urgent treatment.
"I hope as many people as possible will use this opportunity to demonstrate their support for our firefighters by voting for the Cumbrian entry in this year’s Council Worker of the Year Awards."
Jeremy Vine, the Council Worker of the Year Awards host said: "Council workers so often get blamed for everything, even the stuff that wasn't their fault. These awards are fantastic because they show the standards that are being set by people who really understand what public service is.
"It's not about politics, it's sheer hard work that will scoop these awards - on a good day a local council can connect with voters in a way that Westminster and Brussels really struggle to."
Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the Local Government Association said: "I am delighted by the number of entries from local authorities to the Council Worker of the Year awards.
"Council workers across the country all too often go above and beyond the call of duty and help local people in some of the most incredible ways. These awards are a chance to recognise the tireless work that they do to improve the lives of millions of people across the country each year."
David Brindle, The Guardian's Public Services Editor, said: "Council workers make a vital contribution to the quality of our daily lives, but all too often we take it for granted. These awards are to be warmly congratulated for reminding us of that contribution and for celebrating the very best in public service."
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes
1. The picture shows the Brampton fire crew.
The Brampton crew, from front to back are: Richard Mitchell, Vince Jobson, Leslie Pratt, Joe Ratcliffe and Charlie Ratcliffe.
2. About the Council Worker of the Year Awards
The Council Worker of the Year Awards 2008 will take place at a Gala Dinner on July 3rd at the BIC Centre, Bournemouth.
Confirmed sponsors include the Local Government Employers (LGE), Official Media Partner the Guardian Newspaper, the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA), the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), Capita, Investors in People (IIP) and the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
Films of the finalists will be broadcast on the Local Government Channel, at http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/ (external link). And also on Local Government Today on the Community Channel at 6.30am daily on Sky channel 539, Virgin TV 233 and Freeview 87.
Week commencing Programme highlight
5 May..................................................Announcement of finalists
12 May ...............................................Innovation category
19 May ...............................................Leadership category
26 May ...............................................Lifetime Service category
2 June.................................................Care and Commitment category
9 June.................................................Team of the Year category
16 June ..............................................Bravery category
23 June ..............................................Flood Response category 30 June ..............................................Awards recap
7 July ................................................. LGA Annual Conference special
14 July.................................................Gala Dinner presented by Jeremy Vine
3. About Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service
Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service is an integral part of the Safer and Stronger Directorate of Cumbria Council. The Fire and Rescue Service contributes towards creating a safe and secure community within the county. The organisation strives, with partner organisations, to educate the people of Cumbria to help prevent fire and road related deaths and injuries. This is achieved through identifying and working particularly with those groups who are most at risk ensuring that appropriate safety measures are in place. When called to an emergency the Fire and Rescue Service will uses best operational practice to minimise injury and loss
4. About Local Government Channel
Local Government Channel is a resource for local government news, videos and updates. All content can be found on its website: http://www.localgovernmentchannel.com/ (external link).
The channel’s flagship programme, Local Government Today, broadcasts at 6.30am daily on Sky channel 539, Virgin TV 233 and Freeview 87. The programme highlights topical news stories and current affairs in local government and the community.
The channel is unique in its complete dedication to local government, and it has an audience of nearly two million key members of local government to whom we communicate via the TV channel, online portal, regular emails and the monthly newsletter. The channel is fully endorsed by the Local Government Association and works in partnership with SOLACE, SOCITM and many other local government bodies.
The news programmes are updated weekly with a twenty four hour streaming via the website, featuring local authorities and their partners. The channel provides a whole host of news, views, interviews and also showcases best practice in local government from the UK and overseas. The website also contains an archive containing vast content from within local government.