Greater Manchester Firefighters Honoured

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service firefighters have been honoured at a special ceremony held at Wigan Town Hall on 10th August 2015.

The firefighters were called early morning on 14th July when a fire broke out at an apartment building in Wigan Borough. Fortunately no one was hurt in the fire, although nearly 200 residents had to be temporarily rehomed, of which included many of our ALRA North students.

100 firefighters and 25 fire engines bravely worked together to knock down the blaze and reduce the severity of damage to the building.

During his speech at the thank you event, Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council said: "When you are a leader of the council you hope there is never an emergency you have to respond to but when there is an emergency you hope the reaction will be effective - and it was.

Thank you to the firefighters for the way they dealt with the fire. Council staff also worked effectively with their partners in Wigan and Leigh Homes to help people along with ALRA who had the premises used as a reception centre for those affected, the Salvation Army and the Greater Manchester Police."

We would like to say a special thank you, ourselves, to the firefighters, as well as to the local community who made generous donations, including food, clothing and money. All donations that were not used were given to Wigan-based charity The Brick Homeless Shelter.

Councillor David Actor, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire Authority says "In situations like this you see the very best of the public sector where firefighters, police ambulance and councils come together. Everyone needs to recognise the work the public sector does whether it's firefighters or council officers."