Sunday 9^th May 2010 saw the second annual Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration for the work of the Fire and Rescue Service at the Firefighters Monument   ( National Memorial Arboretum).

Many   representatives from the UK Fire and Rescue Services, fire authorities, and the wider Fire Service community were present. Unfortunately the general election meant that there was no ministerial presence this year.  

The Band of the West Midlands Fire Service opened proceedings by marching to the Monument, followed shortly by the Pipe Band of the West Midlands Fire Service. Standard Bearers and Ceremonial Squads formed a large Parade. It all appeared spectacularly resplendent in the fine weather.  

The Patron of the Trust, HRH the Princess Royal, had graciously consented for a floral tribute to be laid on her behalf by the founder chairman of the Trust, Gerry Clarkson CBE QFSM. Other floral tributes were laid on behalf of: the Firerfighters Memorial Trust; Her Majesty’s Government; United Kingdom Fire and Rescue Services; Chief Fire Officers Association, and the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women. Pipers played the lament ‘Flowers of the Forest’                       

The two firefighters from Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, who recently lost their lives at an incident were remembered. 

ISAR teams from the UK F&R Services had formed part of the international rescue response to the earthquake in Haiti, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 250, 000 people. They were represented by members of the West Midlands ISAR team, some of whom had been in Haiti.                   

At the conclusion of the Service The National Anthem of Haiti, ‘La Dessalinienne,’ as well as the British National Anthem, were played, after which the assembled persons marched off to the music of the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service.                       

The Chaplain of the Trust, the Revd. Canon Peter Mortimer MBE, led the Service, supported by Nicholas Rutter, Secretary of the National Fire and Rescue Chaplains Association and Chaplain of Lichfield Fire Station and Revd. Denise Burgess, Chaplain of Tamworth Fire Station.

Other clergy from Bedfordshire & Luton, Greater Manchester, Shropshire, South Wales and Staffordshire F&RSs, and London FB attended. Ron Singer, of AJEX, led the Jewish Prayers, and the Reading was by Keith MacGillivray, chairman of the FireFighters Charity.

To see all the pictures from the service CLICK HERE