TWO senior fire service representatives have been awarded medals from the Queen in the New Year Honours.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Andy Cole and chief fire officer Ben Ansell have both been recognised with a Queen’s Fire Service Medal (QFSM).

Mr Cole has been hoboured for his outstanding leadership and efforts during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout 2020, he has taken a lead in the service’s response to the pandemic, ensuring it supported the needs of partners, including South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

He also helped to ensure that the Service maintained its critical emergency response arrangements.

During this period, Mr Cole also played a key role when commanding the Wareham Forest major incident fire, which was one of the largest wildfires since the huge fires of 1976. The fire burned for over eight weeks and Andy worked with partners and fire services from across the UK to deal with the incident, all while ensuring the 250 firefighters on scene, from every station in Dorset and Wiltshire, remained safe from Coronavirus.

Mr Cole said: “I am so pleased to have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen with a Queen’s Fire Service Medal.

"This year has been extremely difficult for so many people and organisations, and the fire service is no different.

"We have had to adapt and work in completely different ways to continue providing the public with the high standard of service they expect from us.

"This has involved innovative thinking from staff and managers, and I am proud to lead and be involved with this excellent work.”

Mr Ansell has been recognised for his distinguished service to and outstanding leadership in the fire and rescue sector. 

He was the fire strategic gold commander during the Salisbury and Amesbury Novichok incidents and led the service response to these incidents.

He undertakes national work in the fire sector, as a member of the Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee, advising the Secretary of State in England on making building regulations and setting standards for the design and construction of buildings.

Mr Ansell is an advisor to the national fire and rescue employers, who determine the working arrangements for firefighters across the UK.  He is also the Service champion for the Fire Fighters Charity and regional coordinator for the South West.

He said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been recognised with a Queen’s Fire Service Medal.

"I am proud to lead Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. This honour is truly a testament to the professionalism and dedication of all staff from across the service that enables us to achieve all that we do. 

"I would like to thank my colleagues, family and friends for their support during my career.”

Cllr Rebecca Knox, chair of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said it was a "real honour and excellent news" to have members of the fire service recognised by the Queen.

Mr Cole joined the fire and rescue service in July 2004 as an on-call firefighter in Castle Cary, Somerset.

He joined Dorset Fire and Rescue Service in January 2008 but remained on-call with Devon and Somerset until 2018.

Mr Ansell joined Dorset Fire Brigade in September 1994. In 2006, he worked for Her Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate.

On his return, he led on key aspects of the planning for the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth. 

When Dorset and Wiltshire combined in 2016, he was director of operations for the new service and became chief fire officer on December 1, 2016.