The fire industry mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II
Iain Hoey
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Following the devastating news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the fire industry has paid its respects to the longest-serving monarch.
The Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, Mark Hardingham, said: “The news about Queen Elizabeth II is an incredibly sad day, not only for the United Kingdom, but for people across the world.
“As our longest serving monarch, she touched the lives of millions upon millions of people. Not only was she a much-loved queen, she was a devoted mother, wife and grandmother, while serving her country – which she loved – tirelessly, with the utmost pride and dignity.
“I would like to pass on my sincere condolences from NFCC – along with the thoughts of all UK Fire and Rescue Services – to the Royal Household at this very sad time. The Queen visited many fire services during her reign and many will have wonderful stories to tell about her time with them.
“This news will have a huge impact on the entire world. Fire and rescue services will adopt national protocols to quite rightly pay tribute to our queen, while showing our combined respects during this time of national mourning.
“It is only right that we both celebrate and mourn this amazing woman, who reigned for 70 years, at the helm of her family and at the helm of our country.”
In a statement, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) said that it was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Louise Hosking, President, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, said: “In 2002, she granted IOSH a Royal Charter to pursue our charitable vision of a safe and healthy world of work for everyone and her 70-year reign has seen significant advances in workplace health and safety standards.
“More recently, in 2021, IOSH joined the family of civil and professional organisations accredited by the Commonwealth.
“On behalf of the occupational safety and health profession, we send our condolences to The Royal Family and all those close to The Queen.”
On behalf of London Fire Brigade, London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “I want to express our deepest sorrow at the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with His Majesty The King and all of the Royal Family at this difficult time.
“Queen Elizabeth II was always a firm supporter of the emergency services and in particular the fire and rescue service. We were delighted when Her Majesty opened our Headquarters on 21 February 2008.
“I have a profound respect for Her Majesty and for the strength, dignity and leadership she has shown throughout her 70 years on the throne.”
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen as announced by Buckingham Palace today. Our thoughts are with the Royal family at this sad time.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Interim Chief Officer, Ross Haggart, said: “This is a day of profound sadness and our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.
“The Queen’s Fire Service Medal is a source of pride to many of our staff and it was an honour when Her Majesty The Queen met personally with our firefighters who helped to protect Ballater in Aberdeenshire during unprecedented flooding in 2015.
“We will continue to work alongside our partners, including Scottish Government, the Royal Household, Police Scotland, local authorities and transport authorities, to support community safety during ceremonial and memorial events.”
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said it was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: “Our deepest condolences are with the Royal Family at this very sad time. The flag at NIFRS Fire & Rescue Headquarters is being flown at half-mast and NIFRS will continue to observe the national period of mourning in the days ahead.”
Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx of North Wales Fire and Rescue said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this evening. We join the rest of the country in mourning and extend our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family. The is desperately sad news which will be felt profoundly by the entire nation but as this difficult time we reflect on the long-lasting legacy Her Majesty leaves behind and celebrate in her extraordinary life.”
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Huw Jakeway, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. It is a great comfort knowing that she was surrounded by family and loved ones and I offer my condolences to the Royal Family at this time.
“South Wales Fire and Rescue Service recognise Her loss is felt across the nation, and as a mark of respect, flags across South Wales Fire and Rescue will be flown at half-mast.”
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
“The Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service family joins local communities in mourning this sad news as we offer our solemn and sincere condolences to the Royal Family and pay tribute to the life of Her Majesty The Queen.”
British Approvals For Fire Equipment and FireQual issued a joint statement: “Both BAFE and FireQual are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was a bastion of integrity and service to the United Kingdom, which both BAFE and FireQual profoundly respected. Her death is a huge loss for everyone.
“The Queen had a strong link to the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh (where BAFE and FireQual are based), having officially opened the site in May 1974. Our respects and condolences go out to The Royal Family and to all affected by The Queen’s passing. Her legacy will live on as an enormously revered servant of the British public.”
Steve Hamm, Chief Executive Officer of The Institution of Fire Engineers, said: “The Institution of Fire Engineers is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The longest reigning British monarch, Her Majesty has been a reassuring constant in a fast-changing world. She leaves behind an unforgettable legacy, and we thank her for her life of exceptional service. We send our condolences to His Majesty The King and the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
The Fire Industry Association said: “The love that the Queen clearly had for the country and its people was returned by her subjects and we join those around the globe in uniting in mourning but also celebrating her outstanding life and achievements as our monarch.
“Within the fire safety community, there are many that had the pleasure of meeting the Queen during her reign and indeed some that were honoured by her. The FIA’s long-standing tradition of proposing a formal toast to the Queen was made at our Annual Lunch last year and this November we will propose a toast to her memory as well as to our new head of state, King Charles III.”
Chair of The Fire Fighters Charity, John Baines, said: “Her Majesty The Queen has been a dedicated supporter of The Fire Fighters Charity, formerly the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, for almost her entire reign. On behalf of all Trustees who have served on the Board of our organisation over the past 69 years, I would like to pay tribute to her incredible loyalty, support and service as our Patron. We join with the country, Commonwealth and beyond to offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family at this incredibly sorrowful time.”
Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, Dr Jill Tolfrey, said: “On behalf of everyone at The Fire Fighters Charity, our beneficiaries and supporters, I offer my sincere condolences to the Royal family following the death of Her Majesty, The Queen. Her Majesty’s support of the Charity over seven decades has been of great comfort to so many of those we have supported and we all join with the rest of the country in mourning her loss.”