Fire service call handlers excluded from Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal

Available for over a year

Fire brigade call handling control staff have reacted angrily to being excluded from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal. Last year the government announced the medal would be given to all frontline emergency services and armed forces staff with 5 years continual service in June. But that doesn't include call operators. The Home Office says the medal is for specified operational staff, defined as those called to the scene of a 999 emergency and that to extend the eligibility further would open the floodgates to other members of staff and workforces who would also like to be considered. Robyn Richardson is Watch Manager, Control with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue and she told BBC Radio Solent's Steve Harris that the decision was 'absurd'.