Twenty-One Firefighters Honored for Decades of Service at National Ceremony

Twenty-one members of the National Fire Service were recognized for their years of dedication during a Long Service Awards ceremony hosted by the Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management on Friday, February 13 in Belmopan.  The awardees were honoured for completing ten, fifteen, twenty and twenty-five years of service, reflecting decades of commitment to protecting lives and property across Belize. Seven firefighters received awards for ten years of service, three officers, including two radio-telephone operators and a finance officer, were recognized for fifteen years, four leading firefighters were acknowledged for twenty years, and seven senior personnel, among them station officers, a substation officer and an assistant fire chief, were honoured for twenty-five years of service.  Awards were presented by Minister Henry Charles Usher, Chief Executive Officer Rolando Zetina and Fire Chief Colin Gillett. In his remarks, Minister Usher commended the honourees for what he described as their courage, discipline and unwavering dedication, noting that firefighting is not simply a job but a calling that requires sacrifice and resilience.  Fire Chief Gillett also recognized the role of families in supporting the officers throughout their careers, highlighting the importance of that support behind the scenes.  Following the ceremony, the minister and CEO toured the new National Fire Service headquarters in Belize City where they met with officers and staff and reiterated government’s commitment to strengthening the fire service and improving working conditions nationwide.  The ministry says the ceremony forms part of its ongoing effort to celebrate excellence within the public service and to acknowledge those who have devoted decades to national safety.