Date: 3rd May, 2018
Staff from across Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have been celebrating this week (Tuesday 1st May) with Linzi Isaacs MBE who recently attended Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE from His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
Linzi was Head of Prevention at Dorset Fire and Rescue Service prior to its combination with Wiltshire and received her MBE for services to fire prevention and community safety. Linzi was with Dorset Fire and Rescue for over 20 years and came back to the Dorchester offices of DWFRS today to celebrate with colleagues past and present.
Ben Ansell, Chief Fire Officer for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “I am absolutely delighted that Linzi Isaacs has been recognised for her outstanding contribution and hard work in helping vulnerable people and positively changing the lives of disadvantaged young people across Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole and beyond. Through her work, as Head of Prevention and other roles with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Linzi was instrumental in establishing the SafeWise charity which now educates over 15,000 young people every year. She also established the Prince’s Trust Franchise in Dorset and built it up to be one of the highest performing, paving the way for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to positively influence over 37,000 young people every year.
He added: “Her work with Dorset County Council’s Partnership for Older People’s Project (POPPs), which has extended into the Safe and Independent Living initiative (SAIL) reaches a combined population of over 750,000 vulnerable older people across Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. The success of SAIL has led to the initiative being adopted by other fire and rescue services and local authorities across the country. Linzi’s outstanding leadership was instrumental in shaping the prevention work now undertaken by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. Her effervescent personality, determined attitude and over 20 years dedication and hard work has made a real difference to the lives of so many people and I congratulate Linzi on being recognised by HM The Queen.”
Linzi Isaacs said: “I was very humbled to receive this award as the role of prevention in DWFRS belongs to everyone. I am proud of the high quality of work we achieved and know we will continue to make the community safer through education and support to partners working with the most vulnerable.”