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Watch Commander Stephen Sands (Photo credit to SilverLace Photography, Dromore)
Stephen joined the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade (later known as NIFRS) on September 21, 1976 as a firefighter, soon progressing to Lead Firefighter (later known as Crew Commander) and then Watch Commander in charge of Dromore Fire Station.
His devoted colleagues bid him a fond farewell, commenting: Stephen has had a long and illustrious career in the fire service and has served the people of Dromore and surrounding areas for 44 years. In that time, Stephen has been involved in countless incidents of varied severity and has always given his all to protect the community as well as his crew and colleagues. He retired from duty on March 31, 2021.
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NIFRS Station Commander Karen McDowell. (Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service)
A pioneering transgender firefighter in Northern Ireland has been honoured with an MBE for her services to the LGBT+ community in the 2021 New Year Honours list.
Karen McDowell, a fire station commander, transitioned while working as a firefighter 10 years ago and has since spearheaded efforts to promote acceptance of trans people within the NI Fire and Rescue Service.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Michael Graham congratulated McDowell in a statement.
“Karen is a strong, empathetic and admired role model in NIFRS and I would like to congratulate her on this distinguished and well deserved honour,” he said.
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