Quake rescuer’s reward

RETIRED Royton firefighter Peter Stevenson has received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

The 51 year old was the leader of the UK International Search and Rescue team for 10 years before his retirement last year after 32 years with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

The job took him to every major overseas earthquake in the past decade - his last the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Before that he headed a team of around 100 search and rescue workers and dogs from 13 fire and rescue services across the UK, aiding at disasters including devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Pakistan, Kashmir and Turkey.

Mr Stevenson received his award for services to local government and international search and rescue.

The father of two, who lives in Beechwood Drive and was a firefighter at Royton Fire Station, said he was surprised but very proud to accept it on behalf of the whole team.

He said: “I am very proud to get the MBE during the Queen’s Jubilee year. I was awarded it as team leader, but I see it as an acknowledgement of the whole UK team.”



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