Long Service Celebration: Saturday 14th September - Join Us

On the afternoon of Saturday 14th September will see more than 40 colleagues from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service recognised for their Long Service and dedication to our communities.

Colleagues are recognised for their length of service and commitment for 20, 30 and 40 years at the event, and will be presented with their medals and awards in the iconic Piece Hall in the heart of Halifax.

Presented by the Lord Lieutenant, Chief Fire Officer and the Fire Authority, the ceremonial event welcomes the family and friends of colleagues to join the celebration of their careers in the Service.

Taking place in the Piece Hall for the second year, the event remains one of the most important and prestigious events of the Service calendar.

Chief Fire Officer John Roberts said; “It’s always a privilege and pleasure to be able to celebrate the loyal and dedicated individuals who are committed to their communities and our ambition of making West Yorkshire safer to live and work. The Service could not survive without its wonderful staff, and our Long Service Awards provide them, and their family and friends, an opportunity to look back and celebrate their many years of fantastic service. I am delighted we have been able to bring the event back to the Piece Hall in 2024, and that we’ve been able to include the chance for the public to come and see our crews before the presentations take place.”

While local Fire Station Open Days are almost at an end for another year, the public are invited to come along to the Piece Hall between 10:00am and 1.30pm to meet crews and colleagues, who will attend with our Fire Engines, Aerial Appliance and specialist wildfire vehicles. Water flume demonstrations will take place in the morning, with the Fire Fighter’s Charity and recruitment teams also in attendance throughout the day.

There will also be a fire themed trail to follow around the Piece Hall on the day.

Due to the formal, ceremonial nature of the Long Service Event in the afternoon, some interactive opportunities with our crews and appliances will only be available until 1.30pm. Some stalls and exhibits will remain on site and re-open once the formal event has concluded.

Timetable of events (afternoon timings are approximate)

10:00am: Fire Crews from across Calderdale in attendance with specialist appliances and stalls

1.30pm*: Displays will be closed in preparation for the formal Long Service Presentation event.

2.00pm: Commencement of the Long Service Ceremony, with music from the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Band

- Welcome and arrival of Band, Colours and Recipients to the parade ground

- National Anthem

- Presenting Officer’s address by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire

- Parade Inspection

- Presentation of Long Service Awards

- Presentation of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals

3.30pm: Closing speeches, formal photographs and reception for recipients and guests.

3.40pm*: Remaining stalls reopen

*The timings provided are approximate. We strongly advise anyone attending to specifically see crews and appliances within the Piece Hall attend in the morning to avoid disappointment.

What is Long Service and what does it mean?

The Long Service celebration event includes numerous presentations and awards to operational and non-operational colleagues, recognising their service and commitment to the Fire & Rescue Service and communities of West Yorkshire.

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was instituted by Royal Warrant on 1 June 1954, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II stated she wanted to honour those who had given long and meritorious service. The Medal will continue to be presented on behalf of His Majesty the King. The qualifying period for the Award is 20 years, and no person can be recommended unless it is certified that their character and conduct have been very good.
The circular Medal is rhodium plated, to eliminate problems with tarnishing, and has the recipient’s name on the rim

The Long Service and Good Conduct Clasps In March 2022, HM Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II approved a new 30 years and 40 years' service clasp, with the Royal Warrant governing the Medal being rewritten to reflect the introduction. The 30 and 40 years of service clasps are made from cupronickel and will be worn on the ribbon of the 20 years’ Long Service Medal. Rosettes will be presented to add to the Medal ribbon bar.

The Long Service Award West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service recognises the loyal and dedicated service of all personnel. On completion of 20, 30 and 40 years’ service, fire and rescue staff are invited to attend the Long Service Ceremony, with their invited guests, to have their Award presented to them by the Lord-Lieutenant. On completion of 20 years’ service, personnel receive a silver lapel badge and a framed long service certificate, and for 30 years’ service, receive a gold lapel badge and a framed Long Service certificate. For 40 years of service, personnel receive a gift of engraved cut glass together with a framed Long Service certificate. These Awards are presented in recognition of their valuable contribution, without whom the service could not function

The Band We are delighted to have The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Band playing at this year’s Medal ceremony. The band performs at various events and occasions, and is available for hire. The Band is a military style band internationally renowned and plays at the Annual Firefighters’ Memorial Ceremony, and notably the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Get in touch: bookings@thefireband.co.uk 

Join the band: joinus@thefireband.co.uk

Please note, photographs, video and drone footage will be taken during the event and could be used for publicity purposes.

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