Brothers rewarded for long service at fire awards ceremony

Two brothers from Leintwardine have been celebrated at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service awards ceremony.

Crew Commander Michael, usually known as Graham, Vickress was presented with a long service medal to mark 30 years with the fire and rescue service.

But his Watch Commander brother Dave can add 10 years on to that outstanding achievement as he received an award to mark 40 years’ service.

The family’s extraordinary contribution to Leintwardine Fire Station doesn’t end with Dave and Graham as another brother, Robert, received his 20-year long service and good conduct medal back in 2019.

“It has become something of a family tradition as my father served for 34 and a half years before his retirement in 1984 so we overlapped for a few years,” said Dave.

“An uncle and other relatives have also served, too.

“I’ve attended a lot of major fires over the years including one at Bedstone College, several at the army camp at Moreton-on-Lugg as well as the fire in Hereford city centre back in 2010.

“It’s a good feeling to serve with my brothers and they are very good about accepting my authority when I have to give them orders!”