A FIREFIGHTER based at St Albans Fire Station was honoured last week for 20 years of service and good conduct.

Jeremy Harris was presented with a medal by Assistant Chief Officer Peter Hazeldean in front of his work colleagues at the station on Thursday morning.

Jeremy had opted out of a more formal presentation and chose instead to share his achievement with his colleagues, whom he attributes with having made the last 20 years so rewarding.

The heroic firefighter received a commendation in 1995 for rescuing three adults and a child from a two-storey block of flats. In just eight minutes, Jeremy and his supporting crew managed to rescue those in danger and put the fire out.

He said: “It’s something that stays with you. As I climbed the ladder towards the woman she threw her little girl at me. I managed to grab her in my arms and then go back for the woman and I can still picture her, the flames behind her, as I went towards her.”

On receiving the award, Jeremy said he was proud to be part of the service and work in a job that was continually rewarding. “It’s the people that make this job what it is. It’s quite an honour to receive the award from Peter Hazeldean, the very man who interviewed me for the job 20 years ago.”