Road safety champion honoured for a lifetime's work
Road safety champion for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Station Manager Martin Dowle, has been honoured for his lifelong commitment and dedication to road safety not only in Cheshire, but across the UK.
Martin, from Tarporley and based at the Service headquarters in Winsford, was presented with his award by Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt at the Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA) conference at Burton-upon-Trent on 15th September.
CFOA's President, Peter Dartford, said: "There is huge commitment and dedication from many people who work behind the scenes for the greater good of the fire and rescue service. As an association we see an enormous amount of passion, expertise and perseverance from individuals within our professional partners.
"Martin Dowle has been a stalwart for road safety both for Cheshire and nationally for years and is the most passionate advocate and person for road safety education."
Cheshire's Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock added: "Whenever you think of a person totally committed to road safety you, without doubt, place Martin's name in the frame.
"Martin has been CFOA's north west representative for road safety and vice chair of the Road Safety Executive Board. His support for Dave Etheridge, the current Chair of the CFOA Road Safety Executive Board, has been nothing short of exemplary."
The numbers of people killed and seriously injured on Britain's roads has steadily declined over many years and CFOA is in no doubt that Martin's interest, passion, commitment and dedication will have greatly assisted in this achievement and made the UK as safer place to travel.
Paul Hancock continued: "He has made a massive and positive impact across the country, both instigating and overseeing the National Road Safety Week which has involved nearly every service in the UK.
"His approach to working with partners, creating relationships, and jointly delivering messages and events, has led to CFOA and fire and rescue services nationally quickly becoming a partner of choice for many agencies involved in the world of road safety.
"Martin has formed productive and trusted links with the public and private sector as well as the charity sector, in particular the national road safety charity BRAKE. He has also ensured that the work of CFOA and fire and rescue services is now firmly on the Department for Transport's radar."
Martin is due to retire from the Service shortly so CFOA wanted to mark his departure by presenting Martin with this special award for his sterling and excellent work over many many years.
He said: "To be recognised by my peers, not only in Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service but across the Fire and Rescue Service family nationally, is absolutely wonderful. I am delighted and humbled to have been recognised in this way.
"I have nothing but sincere gratitude for everyone who has put their faith in me and allowed me to carry out road safety work to such an extent. I am proud to have been able to achieve initiatives such as the CFOA road safety week, a legacy that will be continued and built on by others.
"To receive this award after such an amazing 37 years with the Service is the icing on the cake."
For media information please call Sarah on 01606 868451 or email sarah.dornford-may@cheshirefire.gov.uk
ENDS
Date published: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 12:35:39 GMT
Last updated: Wednesday 17 September 2014