Uniformed Hero nominee – Derek Dawson
Uniformed Hero nominee – Derek Dawson
Derek Dawson has given decades of service to Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and in his latest role leads a team of volunteers that provide a ceremonial presence at events and offer support to grieving families.
The 77-yeara-old, from Barlaston, joined the City of Stoke-on-Trent Fire Brigade in June 1973 as a retained firefighter at Longton Fire Station. He retired from operational duty in 1993 and returned a decade later as Head of the Service Ceremonial Squad, which now is comprised of eight volunteers. Amongst his responsibilities are duties at long service and good conduct awards plus events at the National Memorial Arboretum and the cenotaph.
Derek attends and assists with the arrangements for the funerals of fire service personnel. When families request the attendance of the Ceremonial Squad, Derek as the Service Liaison Officer is a key part of a process that includes communicating with and supporting the family of the bereaved. He is often a huge comfort to those who are grieving.
Derek has a reputation for his understanding and empathetic personality and for the support he and his team provide at the most difficult of times. He has carried out his duties whilst batting serious illness and health issues himself.
Chief Fire Officer Rob Barber KFSM has nominated Derek in the Uniformed Hero category of the Your Heroes Awards.
He said: “Derek puts so much time, energy and effort into providing this service – I find it inspirational.
“Derek has continued to deliver the highest levels of service to his role and is a credit to the Fire and Rescue Service. He demonstrates everything that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is all about.”
Derek said: “I’ve always loved my time with the Fire and Rescue Service and whilst my current role is mainly carried out in Staffordshire I can be all over the UK too.
“It makes me proud that me and the team are there when we are needed the most. It’s really humbling to know that so many people have sent in letters and emails stating the impact that we have had and how funerals have been made so much more memorable through the arrangements that we have made”.