Celebrating fire and rescue excellence at the 2025 STAR Awards

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's 2025 STAR Awards highlighted the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of our staff, volunteers, and cadets. Each year, these awards recognise those who go above and beyond, demonstrating outstanding commitment to their roles and making a tangible difference to their colleagues and the communities of Cheshire.

Our award categories reflect the core values of our Service, recognising those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment. In addition, life-saving actions are honoured through Chief Fire Officer Commendations and Certificates of Achievement. In total 39 staff were recognised across the 12 award presentations

Among those recognised this year were people like Debra, who, since 2009, has been an invaluable volunteer, dedicating her time to supporting safety initiatives in the community, assisting with training scenarios and fundraising for the Firefighters Charity. Her passion and commitment have had a lasting impact, making her a well-loved and respected team member. Reflecting on her recognition, Debra said, “I don’t volunteer to get an award, but I am so proud to have received it.”

Our Team Excellence Award went to The King’s Trust Teams, who, for the last three decades, have helped thousands of young people in Cheshire complete the Trust’s Team Programme. They have been a source of empowerment for young people, providing guidance and support to help them overcome challenges and build brighter futures. The dedication and perseverance of our staff have had a profound impact on countless young people's lives, and their recognition is a testament to their ongoing commitment.

Firefighters from Runcorn, Widnes and Penketh were thanked and recognised for their life-saving actions on two occasions; resuscitating a driver who had gone into cardiac arrest at a road traffic collision in March 2024, and at a serious house fire in Runcorn earlier this year where crews bravely tackled smoke, heat and flames to rescue the occupier who was trapped upstairs.

Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Alex Waller praised the winners, saying: “These awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the extraordinary people within our Service who make a difference every day. From the life-saving action taken on the front line by our firefighters to the dedicated staff behind the scenes, each person plays a vital role in shaping our organisation. Congratulations to all our winners – your contributions are truly inspiring.”