Volunteers for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service received a special thank you ceremony for their commitment to their communities.

Held at the Service Headquarters, attendees were presented with Certificates of Appreciation for giving their time to help make Essex a safer place to live, work and travel on Wednesday, December 11.

The Service has 46 volunteers who play a vital role carrying out home safety visits, supporting community safety events and helping to run the Service’s Fire Museum.

More than 4,500 hours of voluntary time have been dedicated by volunteers, including supporting more than 70 events and completed over 1,700 home safety visits this year alone.

Their help has enabled the Fire Museum to remain an informative and entertaining base to the public to visit.

Andrea MacAlister, head of community safety said: “Your great generosity has had a profound and lasting impact on Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

“Your willingness to share both your time and your talent by volunteering with us says a lot about each of you as human beings.

“Your willingness to give selflessly to help others speaks to both your strength and the quality of your character.

“When you volunteer, you are making a commitment to share that most precious of resources – your time – to make life safer for those who are in need.

“Your efforts make a tangible impact, of course, but perhaps it is the fact that you are willing to share your time and talent to lend a helping hand and to show kindness and caring that makes the greatest difference in the lives of the individuals who are touched by your generosity.”

If you want to become a volunteer with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, visit: join.essex-fire.gov.uk/jobs/volunteering/