Date: 31st July, 2017
Bournemouth woman Sally-Ann Hadden received a Chief Fire Officer’s Commendation and a Certificate of Recognition from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire at a presentation at Springbourne Fire Station on 28 July 2017.
The certificates, presented by Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, recognise her bravery and selflessness during a building fire on 29 May 2016.
On that day, Fire Control received a call at 7.45pm to reports of a fire at a property in Princess Road, Poole, with crews from Westbourne and Christchurch arriving within three minutes of being alerted.
Before the crews arrived, Sally-Ann had followed the correct fire procedure for the premises before being confronted with an individual whose clothes were on fire. Without any thought for her own safety, she was able to quickly remove the burning clothing, administer first aid and call the emergency services for further assistance.
Sadly, the victim succumbed to their injuries a few days later.
Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “A commendation is the highest award I can offer to a member of the public for acts of outstanding bravery, selflessness or courage in the face of adversity. Sally-Ann’s actions embodied the values of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and, despite the tragic outcome of the fire, I’m pleased that both ourselves and the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire have been able to recognise her bravery on that day.”