Firefighters, staff and volunteers were honoured for their remarkable bravery in a ceremony last Wednesday.

More than 50 long service and good conduct medals, clasps, accolades and certificates were handed out during the event at Trinity Park, outside Ipswich.

The awards also recognised the vital work of Suffolk County Council Trading Standards and emergency planning.

The Miles Hammond Trophy usually awarded for excellence by an individual or team during an emergency incident was given to firefighter Matthew Brown.

Mr Brown was sitting in his car in Lowestoft when he saw a teenage girl hit by a car as she was crossing the road.

The girl was thrown into the air and landed 10m away.

Reacting quickly, Mr Brown gave her CPR until an ambulance arrived while also helping the driver of the car by ensuring that he didn't become a target of hostility from passers-by.

The Excellence in Community Safety Award was won by the Suffolk Trading Standards ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ team for their work in helping reduce doorstep crime and help those who have suffered from doorstep crime or who are more vulnerable to it.

The Cabinet Member Award for Volunteer of the Year went to the Salvation Army whose volunteers have been helping provide refreshments for firefighters at the scene of major incidents.

Salvation Army volunteers are on standby 24 hours a day to crew a response vehicle at Stowmarket Fire Station. After receiving a call, they buy fresh food and get to an incident within 40 minutes.

The Alan Soards Award for Best Fire Station when to Debenham for its work in the aftermath of Storm Babet in October 2023, when parts of the village were cut off, pupils were forced to remain at school overnight and over 70 properties were impacted.

The fact that the fire station itself was flooded made the efforts of firefighters in Debenham even more impressive.

A Lifetime Achievement award was given to Nigel Howlett of Suffolk Trading Standards to mark his 44 years with the organisation that has seen him successfully tackle numerous rogue businesses.

The High Sheriff of Suffolk Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason presented a dozen certificates of merit while councillor Liz Harsant, the chair of Suffolk County Council, presented Certificates of Long Service.

A number of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, which are awarded for 20 years’ service, were awarded - along with clasps for 30 and 40 years of service.

A minute's silence was held for Steven Fisk, an on-call firefighter with Halesworth fire station who passed away in September.

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for public protection, said: "I am hugely honoured to be able to help recognise the hard work and dedication to public service of this special group of people.

“It is no exaggeration to say that their hard work and devotion to what they do is what allows the rest of us to live our lives in safety. Society owes them a great deal."