Firefighters awarded prestigious Humanitarian Medal
The medal was awarded recently to Crew Commander Gary Carroll and Station Commander Gavin Brown
Two firefighters have been presented with a Humanitarian Medal for their role in the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) mission to Morocco in September 2023.
Crew Commander Gary Carroll and Station Commander Gavin Brown received the medal recently.
They were deployed alongside search dog Coorie, after a devastating earthquake struck the High Atlas mountains, killing thousands and leaving many more injured and displaced.
This was Gary’s fourth overseas mission, but the first for search dog Coorie. Together, they made an extraordinary contribution to the search and rescue effort, working in extreme conditions to try to locate survivors and support affected communities.
The trio spent over a week in Morocco as part of the UK ISAR team, which consisted of 62 skilled professionals trained to offer specialised technical support.
Gary said: “I was pleased to be able to play a part in helping people in Morocco alongside Coorie and it’s an honour to receive this medal.
When disasters of this magnitude strike, we have a dedicated team within our Service who can be deployed to help provide life-saving work.
“When disasters of this magnitude strike, we have a dedicated team within our Service who can be deployed to help provide life-saving work.”
Gary will retire from the Service at the end of August this year, marking the end of a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years helping to protect communities at home and abroad.
Joining the team overseas for the first time, Gavin worked in extreme conditions to locate survivors, deliver humanitarian aid, and support remote communities.
Gavin said: “It was a such an important mission, and the resilience and generosity of the Moroccan people will stay with me forever. The whole experience just restores your faith in humanity.”
The trio spent over a week in Morocco as part of the UK ISAR team, which consisted of 62 skilled professionals trained to offer specialised technical support.
The King’s Humanitarian Medal was awarded to those who have played a crucial role in His Majesty's Government's response to humanitarian crises.