The chosen crew

Reginald Haye picks up his award

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

FOUR Oldham firefighting heroes were honoured for their dedication over 20 years.

They were among 14 staff who collected awards from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service for their track record of saving lives for over two decades.

Firefighters Andrew Anderson and Reginald Haye from Chadderton station, and Stuart Brown and Stephen Madden, stationed in Hollins, were each awarded gongs during a glitzy ceremony.

Stuart Brown served for 19 years in Heywood, but moved to Hollins in February last year.

Over the years he’s attended countless serious collisions on the M62 and recalls helping to save 10 people from a burning building in Heywood.

There’s never a dull moment for 50-year-old Stuart who is now a driver for crews in Hollins.

He said: “It was a really great occasion and good to catch up with old faces.

“Twenty years has gone so quickly and I’ve loved every minute.”

Reginald Haye worked his way up to become watch manager at Chadderton in November, 2003.

Andrew Anderson served in South Yorkshire before moving to Chadderton, while Stephen Madden has served all 20 years in Hollins.

The firefighters helped notch up a the total of 300 years between the 14 operational and support staff honoured at the event at the service’s Training and Development Centre in Manchester.

Two employees, Alison Bullough and Catherine Palmer, based at the service’s headquarters both received gongs for 40 years service.