A FIREFIGHTER has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours' List. Laurence Gill, 45, from Orpington, was awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal after a long and distinguished career.

Mr Gill is London Fire Brigade's southern area commander and assistant chief fire officer. He is responsible for fire-fighting, safety and rescue operations throughout an area covering Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham. During his illustrious career, Mr Gill attended many serious incidents including the Moorgate tube diaster and the Clapham and Southall rail crashes. In 1990 he received the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

After joining as a recruit in 1970, he served at several London fire stations before becoming station commander at Erith and divisional officer at brigade headquarters based in Lambeth. In 1991 he was appointed senior divisional officer, heading the specialist operations' and training performance team, which spearheaded key improvements in firefighting operations and training methods. Further promotion took him to the posts of deputy commander at Paddington and assistant chief officer in charge of the brigade's western command in 1995. Earlier this year he was appointed southern area commander.

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