ROGER Pickett, the assistant curator of Grays-based Essex Fire Museum has been honoured with a special award for his 44 years to the Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

And Russ Freeman, the Grays station manager has also been acknowledged for his 20 years of service.

Both men were among 25 officers and staff members recognised at a special awards presentation.

The event, which was held online for the first time due to Covid-19 restrictions, celebrated the long servicing fire service employees that have completed 20 years' service and more.

Firefighters who have completed 20 years' service were awarded The Fire Brigade's Long Service and Good Conduct Medals. These medals are awarded nationally, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, to all operational staff who have completed twenty years of outstanding service to the public.

Special awards were also presented to support staff who had completed 20 years' service and employees who had completed 40 years service and more.

Among them was Mr Pickett whose connection with the fire service has been life long, dating back almost to the day his father took him, as a two-year-old toddler, to see the official opening of the new Grays Fire Station in Hogg Lane in November 1954.

And the tradition continued as Roger's son leigh is a serving firefighter based in Thurrock too.

The fire service museum was opened in 2007. Since 1983, Roger had gathered together hundreds of artifacts, photographs, memorabilia and items relating to the County's Fire Brigade, with a particular interest in the service within the Thurrock area.

The collection also includes a number of vintage appliances - the first a 1954 Dennis F8 fire engine acquired by Roger in 1993.

Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Jo Turton said: "These awards are one of the highlights of my year and I am so pleased that although the restrictions meant that we couldn't meet in person we could still celebrate and pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of our employees.

"This is the first year we have hosted the Long Service awards online, but nothing was going to stop us celebrating the achievements of employees - especially during a year in which so many have gone above and beyond their role to help keep our communities safe.

"I am so incredibly proud of the achievements of all of our colleagues who have completed such exemplary service to our communities. Hearing about their individual journeys and what they have achieved throughout their career is truly inspiring."

The full list of honoured officers and staff is:

20 Year Long Service Good Conduct Award

Alistair Castle, Firefighter, Old Harlow

Andre Turner, Watch Manager Protection

Craig McLellan, Station Manager Basildon, Billericay & Wickford

Dan Finch, Crew Manager, Harlow

Gavin Tripp, Station Manager, Braintree, Coggeshall, Halstead and Witham

James Taylor, Group Manager, North West Group

Jon Webster, Watch Manager Protection

Mark Crouch, Watch Manager, Operational and Community Risk

Mark Nevill, Watch Manager Leaden Roding

Martin Stoker, Crew Manager, Dovercourt

Russ Freeman, Station Manager, Grays

Sunil Galvin, Crew Manager, Colchester

Steve Kirkham, Apprentice Support Manager, Operations

Tim Roedel, Firefighter, Shoeburyness

Support staff awards

David Bayes, Engineer, Fleet Workshops - 20 years

Maria Edwards, Administrator, Property Services - 20 years

Paula Drane, Finance Manager - 30 years

Rebecca Kinchin, Performance & Data Management - 20 years

Sarah Webster, Payroll Manager, Payroll - 20 years

Tracy King, Assistant Director Performance & Data Management - 20 years

Special Awards

Derek Whitbread, Watch Manager, Epping Fire Station – 45 years

Martin Cable, Watch Manager Maldon Fire Station - 45 years

Neil Byford, Watch Manager Newport - 40 years

Roger Pickett, Assistant Curator, Essex Fire Museum - 44 years

Steve Foster, Technical Services and Asset Manager, Technical Services – 40 years