Date

26 September 2025

‘Behind the Pager’ event celebrates on call firefighters

Aviemore Community Fire Station has held their first ‘Behind the Pager’ event to celebrate on call firefighters.

Large group of people outside a fire station
Aviemore Community Fire Station event brought firefighters, families and employers together

Behind our on call firefighters there is often a network that makes their role possible. This could involve the support of their primary employer, they could be juggling their own self-employment and there’s often families at home used to seeing their loved ones running out the door and missing family occasions.

Our on call firefighters play a vital role and are crucial to their local communities.

The evening brought people together and included awards for trainee firefighters, community spirit, as well as awards for employers.

Highlights of the evening included:

  • Reflections from Crew Commander Andrew MacLeod (26+ years’ service) and Firefighter Gordon Gilfillan (1.5 years’ service).
  • Trainee certificates presented to Firefighters Stuart Boon, Tomasz Kwiczala, Benjamin Brimacombe and Gordon Gilfillan for their dedication and hard work.
  • Turnout Awards for Firefighter Kyle McRobert and Crew Commander Andrew MacLeod, recognising their outstanding commitment to service delivery and public safety.
  • Community Spirit Award for Crew Commander Jamie Stewart, recognising his tireless fundraising in full firefighting kit.
  • Over and Above Awards for Firefighters Jim Halloran and Blair McClure, commending their extra responsibilities and consistent dedication.
  • Certificate of Appreciation for Firefighter John Allan, honouring 26 years of dedicated service ahead of his retirement.

 

Family Appreciation:

Each firefighter handed a personal written thank you card and a challenge coin to their loved ones, recognising the missed birthdays and anniversaries, the late nights, the disturbed sleep, and the years of sacrifice that make the on-call role possible.

 

Coin / medals
Each on call firefighter gave a 'challenge coin' to their families to say 'Thank You'.

Employer Recognition Awards:

  • Gold: Hydrasun and BT
  • Silver: Quarch Technology, Dunroamin B&B, Strathspey Decorators
  • Bronze: SSEN Transmission, Macdonald Spey Valley Championship Golf Course, DT Renovations
  • Supporter: RAF Lossiemouth No. 2622 Squadron, West Fraser Europe

This appreciation extended to self-employed on-call firefighters, who juggle the demands of running their own businesses while still making themselves available to protect the community.

The evening also featured a wellbeing session highlighting the support available through SFRS, the Fire Fighters Charity and the SFRS Family Support Trust.

 

Awards and Certificates
Awards were given to employers in recognition of their support for on call firefighters