National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) held its first Celebrating Prevention Awards at NFCC’s Prevention and Protection Conference in Derby.

Prevention colleagues from fire and rescue services across the country were invited to nominate teams and individuals, who are making a difference to Prevention awareness in their communities and fire service, across seven categories.

From Safeguarding Star to recognising Partnership Working, the esteemed judging panel were overwhelmed with the calibre and volume of nominations received.

NFCC’s recently appointed Chief Operating Officer, Susannah Hancock, led the judging panel, and was joined by NFCC’s Executive Prevention Lead Neil Odin and NFCC’s CYP Executive lead Phil Garrigan, who also hosted the awards. Other members of the Prevention board and committee, including representatives from the Home Office, were also invited to judge.

The big award of the night, ‘Big Impact Leadership’, went to Dawn Whittaker, NFCC’s Water Safety Lead and CFO at East Sussex for her tireless passion and dedication to water safety campaigning. Donna Bentley, NFCC’s Strategic Safeguarding Lead, was High Commended in the same category.

The Safeguarding Star Award went to the very deserving Kevin Johnson from Merseyside FRS, with Kent FRS picking up the top award for their Community Safety.

Finally, 14-year-old Freddy Hodgson receiving the Young Persons Achievement Award for his achievements at Northamptonshire Emergency Services Fire Cadets.

Commenting after the awards Dawn Whittaker, NFCC’s Water Safety Lead and CFO at East Sussex, said:  “Thanks to everyone involved in organising and judging the awards and also to all the finalists. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues again.

“The conference had so many fabulous contributions as well and reminded me just why we all do what we do and how important the work on Prevention and Protection is.”