Fire safety officer presented with medal for 20 years of service

A FIRE safety officer has been awarded with a medal to mark 20 years of service with the London Fire Brigade.

Anisea Skinner, of Woodville Gardens, Ruislip, only came to the UK from her native New Zealand to travel and see the sights. Thirty four years later she is married and has just clocked up 20 years service with the capital's fire brigade.

On October 15 she was presented with a long service and good conduct medal by the chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Brian Coleman, at a special ceremony held at the Brigade's training centre in Southwark.

Mrs Skinner began her career at the brigade's Harrow Training Centre, before moving onto Wembley where she worked with the properties and building services section.

She then worked as a water officer, responsible for inspecting fire hydrants across North West London, before being posted to Hounslow where she worked advising residents about fire safety.

Her latest role sees her based in Hillingdon as a fire community safety officer. Her job involves going out into London's diverse communities to offer fire safety advice and this has included working with, among others, the capital's Korean, Polish and Muslim residents.

She said: "Working for the fire brigade has been a very satisfying job and I'm particularly enjoying my current role.

"Getting the Brigade's fire safety message across to those groups that may not be as aware of what we do is very rewarding."