A FIRE fighter at Droitwich Fire Station has been presented with an award for bravery as part of Hereford and Worcester Fire Service’s annual medals and awards ceremony.

Droitwich crew commander Simon Jelfs received the chief fire officer’s Letter of Commendation, which is presented to members of the fire service and the public who have performed acts of courage or bravery, rendered general humanitarian aid, performed to a high standard under difficult circumstances or performed above and beyond normal expectations.

Crew commander Jelfs received the award for his actions at the scene of a road traffic collision between Droitwich and Worcester, which he had come upon while he was off duty, immediately after it occurred.

He had gone to try and offer assistance to the injured drivers involved, and found one of them severely trapped inside their car and in need of urgent medical care.

The quick thinking officer then contacted Fire Control, requested additional resources, and passing on vital information to the emergency services as they were on their way.

He then rolled up his sleeves, and stepped in to assist the fire fighters who arrived, taking on command and control duties at the scene so that other fire fighters were freed up to undertake the rescue.

A second award was also presented to Timothy Harris, who works as the watch commander at Droitwich Fire Station.

He received the Outstanding Service Medal, which is awarded in recognition of achieving 35 years’ service.

He was one of three fire officers from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service to receive the award on the night.

Chief fire officer Mark Yates, who assisted in presenting the awards, said: “The event is one of the highlights of the service’s calendar. Without the exceptional talents and commitment of our staff, there wouldn’t be the high quality fire and rescue service that we enjoy in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

“I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the invaluable, and often unrecognised, support our staff receive from their families and loved ones”