Herefordshire employers recognised for supporting on-call firefighters

TWO Herefordshire employers have been recognised for the huge support they have given to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) by supporting members of their staff to become on-call firefighters.

At the HWFRS Herefordshire Awards Evening earlier this month, Polytec Car Styling from Bromyard and Arrow Plant Hire from Kington became the first recipients of a new award.

The Chief Fire Officer’s Employer Award was handed over by CFO Jon Pryce to Nick Sturrock, Liam Naven-Jones and Simon Halling from Polytec and Peter Jones from Arrow, in recognition of the way in which the two firms have continued to provide on-call members of staff to HWFRS in support of their local community.

Members of Polytec Car Styling staff have been supporting the on-call section since 1990 while Peter Jones of Arrow Plant Hire, who was himself an on-call firefighter for 20 years, continues to have staff members who are on-call.

Area Commander Jon Butlin said:

“Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service recognises the sacrifices that employers make in allowing their staff to be on-call firefighters, a role which may cut into their working day while supporting the needs of their local community.

“Polytec Car Styling and Arrow Plant Hire have supported us for many years and so these awards are very well deserved. We are very grateful for the incredible backing they have given us for so long.”

Nick Sturrock, Head of HR at Polytec, said:

“On behalf of Polytec Car Styling UK Ltd, we were delighted to be presented with the ‘Chief Fire Officer’s Employer Award’

“We are passionate about supporting the safety and well-being of our local community through our continued and ongoing support in providing on-call firefighter provision.

“We look forward to further engaging and building a collaborative partnership with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.”