Photos: BFRS Employee Awards Ceremony
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks attended the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters on Friday to participate in the BFRS Employee Awards Ceremony, with a number of personnel receiving awards.
Civilian Staff 5 Year Award
- Yaima Govia [Administration]
- Renee Raynor [Emergency Medical Dispatcher]
- Rochelle Marshall [Emergency Medical Dispatcher]
Civilian Staff 10 Year Award
- Jokeita Henry [Information & Tech]
Civilian Staff 15 Year Award
- Elouise Burcher [Emergency Medical Dispatcher]
- Anna Swann [Administration]
- Janae Foley [Emergency Medical Dispatcher]
Civilian Staff 20 Year Award
- Carlos Caisey [Chef]
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medals Awarded
Crew One
- Jay Astwood [A/Sgt.]
- Christopher Clarke [A/Sgt.]
Crew Two Airport
- Charles Butterfield [A/Sgt.]
- Leroy Maxwell [A/Sgt.]
Crew Four
- Sgt. Vance Hassell
Operations Division
- Hezekiah Fox [Senior Airport FF]
- Johan Wernbo [Airport FF]
Administration
- Lt. Anthony Caisey
- Lt. Jamal Albouy
- Lt. Raymond Masters
- Lt. Josonne Smith
- Deroy Somner [A/Lt.]
Recruits of 2020
- Idrees Sharrief [Most Outstanding Recruit]
- Damon Ming [President]
- Takyh Sharief Hayward [Most Academic]
- Callon Burns [Team Award]
Minister of National Security Michael Weeks’ Statement
Good afternoon Acting Chief Fire Officer and members of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, special guests, family and friends.
I am pleased to be here to participate in this year’s BFRS Employee Awards Ceremony where we will recognise the contributions of the men and women within the BFRS. Their dedication is matched by their humility, and it is my privilege to highlight their excellent work.
To be a firefighter you must willingly submit to rigorous training, offer an immense level of personal dedication and operate with selflessness. When people run away from danger, it is often the role of a firefighter to face that peril and meet that danger head-on, whether it is during an emergency, medical incident, or other crises.
The BFRS should be proud of their record of consistently advancing messages of safety and prevention in the community and its commitment to creativity and best practice.
Let us not forget the duties that our men and women are required to perform on a daily basis. Those duties include:
- Firefighting
- Responding to emergency medical calls
- Hazardous chemical and biohazard responses
- And, responding to motor vehicle accidents
They also provide services including:
- Community emergency risk management
- Fire investigation
- Commercial training, and
- Building Safety
As hurricane season is upon us, I must also point out the vital role the BFRS carries out as part of the Emergency Measures Organisation – including fire extinguishment, flooding reduction, roof-covering, and building safety for storms and heavy rainfall.
The Government remains committed to bolstering the BFRS ranks to provide the needed support for our hardworking firefighters. The Ministry of National Security has already advertised locally to recruit 11 additional firefighters, a campaign that was met with a positive response. We are confident that all vetting, testing and interviewing will be completed in time for the successful applicants to commence their training shortly.
Training takes time, and the women and men of the BFRS are committed to producing top-quality Bermudian firefighters who will carry on the tradition of professionalism that is the hallmark of this uniformed Service. In this, they have the full support of the Ministry.
Of course, today’s ceremony isn’t only to recognise our firefighters – but also our essential emergency dispatchers, administrative staff, and other key personnel who work hard every day for the public. Without their support, the excellent service to the public for which the BFRS is known would not be possible.
Having recognised the organisation as a whole, let us now hear the names and stories of some of the BFRS personnel who have provided such outstanding Service across our community.
Thank you.
