Moray Council celebrated as first local employer in Moray to receive recognition award from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Moray Council has been honoured with the Employer Recognition Scheme award from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for its outstanding support of retained firefighters who also work for the Council. This marks the first time an organisation in the area has received this award.
The recognition highlights Moray Council’s long-standing partnership with SFRS. Over almost 40 years, nearly 30 Council employees have served as retained firefighters, helping to protect communities across Moray. Currently, two employees – Gary Smith and David Crombie, both school janitors – continue to provide on-call cover, collectively contributing more than 65 years of dedicated service. This commitment plays a vital role in sustaining emergency response capability, particularly in rural areas.
Karen Greaves, Chief Executive of Moray Council, said: “Moray Council is proud to support our staff who serve as retained firefighters. Their dedication to keeping our communities safe is inspiring, and this award reflects the strong partnership we have built with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service over many years.”
Area Commander Andrew Wright is SFRS Local Senior Officer for Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. He said: “We greatly value the commitment shown by the Council in supporting their employees to serve as on call firefighters. This partnership not only strengthens community resilience but also demonstrates a shared dedication to public safety and wellbeing. By enabling staff to take on this vital role, the Council is helping to ensure that our communities remain protected and that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can continue to deliver an outstanding level of service.”
Gary Smith, retained firefighter and Council employee, said: “It’s great to work for an employer that understands the importance of what we do and supports us to balance both roles. This award means a lot to us.”
David Crombie, retained firefighter and Council employee, said: “Being a retained firefighter is a big responsibility, and having Moray Council’s backing makes it possible. We’re proud to serve our community and appreciate this recognition.”
Watch a short video of the presentation here.