On Thursday, September 26th, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) hosted its annual More Than Just Fires Awards Ceremony at The Village Hotel in Swansea.
The evening was hosted by beloved broadcaster Eleri Sion best known for her warmth and energy on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and S4C.
The ceremony included a total of 10 award categories made up of nominees who had been chosen by their colleagues. It included an award for Outstanding Contribution, Fundraiser of the Year and the Chief Fire Officer’s Special Recognition Award, to name but a few.
Speaking during the ceremony, CFO Thomas said: “Tonight is about celebration and recognition — a chance to acknowledge the incredible dedication, bravery, and service of our teams and individuals who go above and beyond to protect our communities.
From wildfires to rescue operations, to community safety initiatives, the work of our Service extends far beyond fighting fires and we are here to honour that broader mission tonight.”
The winners of the evening were as follows:
Outstanding Contribution Award
The winner of the first award for Outstanding Contribution was presented to Group Manager Steven Davies for his extraordinary work with the UK International Search and Rescue team and for consistently going above and beyond expectations to ensure the Service’s vision and behaviours are always met.
Also shortlisted were Retired Watch Manager Steve Amor of Llanwrtyd Wells Fire Station and Watch Manager John Herman of the Services Stores Department.
Team of the Year Award
The Team of the Year Award recognised a group or team that has demonstrated remarkable collaboration, professionalism and unwavering dedication to achieving shared goals. This award was presented to The Fleet, Engineering and Logistics Department (FELD). FELD were awarded for their overall contributions to the Service as well as their on-call team who are always on hand to ensure that the Service runs smoothly 24/7.
Also shortlisted were the Service Finance Team.
Unsung Hero Award
The Unsung Hero Award was presented to Retired Watch Manager David Price of Newtown Fire Station for his long and distinguished career in the Service, and in recognition of his dedication and ongoing work within his community.
Also shortlisted were Dawn Newall of Llanelli Fire Station and Crew Manager Iwan Ward of Crymych Fire Station.
Community and Partnership Award
The evening’s fourth award was the Community and Partnership Award which was presented to School Education Officer Elinor Goldsmith for her continued contributions to the Service for over 26 years, from school visits to home safety checks and everything else in between.
Also shortlisted were the Service Youth Team and Community Public Access Defibrillators (CPAD) Team.
Sports Personality of the Year Award
The Sports Personality of the Year was the fifth category of the evening and was awarded to Firefighter (Control) Chance Morgan of Joint Fire Control for his achievement in Jiu Jitsu, winning gold in the British Open Championships this year and for his continued dedication to his role.
Also shortlisted were The Service Fitness Team and Firefighter Tanja Fulcher of Llandeilo Fire Station.
Fundraiser of the Year Award
The Fundraiser of the Year Award was presented to Brecon Fire Station for their continued fundraising efforts for various charities and their involvement in their local community.
Also nominated were both Watch Manager Nathan Bringloe and Station Manager Richard Davies along with Firefighter David Farrow of Milford Haven Fire Station.
Western Division Station of the Year Award
The Western Division Station of the Year Award was presented to Llandovery Fire Station. Llandovery is a very proactive station that are always at the heart of any community events and maintain strong local business ties, along with a commitment to promoting diversity and equality.
The other shortlisted stations were Narberth Fire Station and Ammanford Fire Station.
Northern Division Station of the Year Award
The Northern Division Station of the Year Award was presented to Welshpool Fire Station in recognition of their deep-rooted community commitment, in particular their commitment and dedication to their annual Christmas Carol Service, which encourages local spirit and involvement while showcasing the crew’s enthusiasm and approachability.
Also shortlisted were Llanidloes Fire Station and Llanfyllin Fire Station.
Southern Division Station of the Year Award
The winner for Station of the Year in Southern Division was Glynneath Fire Station for its high response standards and community engagement, overcoming challenges through innovative recruitment and a strong social media presence, alongside contributing to a garden project with Keep Wales Tidy.
Also shortlisted were Seven Sisters Fire Station and Port Talbot Fire Station.
Chief Fire Officer’s Special Recognition Awards
The final award category of the evening was the Chief Fire Officer’s Special Recognition Award.
Following deliberation by the Shortlisting Panel, it became clear that it was impossible to select just one winner for the CFO’s Special Recognition Award, and after hearing the exceptional bravery, dedication, and commitment by each nominee, it was decided that they were all worthy winners:
The Antarctic Fire Angels, Rebecca Openshaw-Rowe and Georgina Gilbert
Known as the Antarctic Fire Angels, Rebecca and Georgina completed a world-first journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole, covering over 1,200 km in just 52 days. Facing temperatures as low as -30°C and winds up to 60 mph, they undertook this challenge unguided and unassisted, pulling 100kg sleds. Their journey not only defied gender stereotypes but also raised crucial funds for the Fire Fighters Charity.
The Colour Party
The Colour Party is made up of both current and retired personnel, they have proudly represented our Service at numerous significant events over the years. Since its founding in 1984, the Colour Party has demonstrated unwavering dedication, attending key occasions from funerals to international parades.
Swansea Central and Swansea West, White Watches
White Watches from Swansea Central and Swansea West are recognised within this category for their exceptional response to a critical incident earlier this year. Faced with a well-developed property fire and a sudden cardiac arrest in a neighbouring garden, these crews skilfully managed both emergencies simultaneously. Their swift, decisive actions were commended by the Welsh Ambulance Service, and the patient has since fully recovered, thanks to their actions.
