Medals for firefighters sent to Morocco earthquake

The team was presented with their Humanitarian Medals by a Kent Fire & Rescue Service director

Four firefighters have received Humanitarian Medals for their "team effort" responding to an earthquake in Morocco.

Jim Chaston, Dom Moore, Brad Rebbeck and Jamie Muddle were among the UK International Search and Rescue team deployed in 2023.

The group spent nine days in villages and areas severely impacted by the disaster, which killed nearly 3,000 people, Kent Fire & Rescue Service said.

Mr Chaston said the team was "extremely honoured" to be awarded the medals.

The Humanitarian Medal, conferred by King Charles III, honours emergency and aid workers in disasters and conflicts abroad and in the UK.

The first ever recipients of the award were announced in January.

Mr Chaston said: "When we're deployed to incidents and emergencies, it's always a team effort.

"We all have the same purpose – to save lives and do what we can to help during a really devastating time."

He added that the team "includes our families, friends and colleagues at home, who are always there to support us".

The firefighters are expected to be invited to Buckingham Palace for a formal presentation of the awards.

Kent Fire & Rescue Service's director for response, Matt Deadman, said the service was "fortunate to have this team of highly skilled firefighters here".

"We're all inspired by the incredible life-saving work they provide nationally and internationally," he added.