Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin has been awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal (QFSM) – the highest award of its kind a serving fire officer can receive.
The announcement was made in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
CFO Neil Odin said:
“I am delighted to receive the Queen’s Fire Service Medal. This award is recognition not just for me, but for all the people I work with as we continue to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman, Councillor Rhydian Vaughan MBE said:
“This award is well deserved. During his time as Chief, Neil has seen the combination of Hampshire and Isle of Wight and led the strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under his leadership the Service has enhanced its reputation and nationally he has worked to drive up standards across the fire service.
“I know that all other members of the Fire Authority would like to extend their congratulations.”
Spending more than 20 years with West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Neil crossed the border in March 2012 to take up the position of assistant chief in Hampshire.
Later as deputy chief and director of service delivery, covering community safety, response and resilience he was responsible for firefighting and frontline response, prevention, safe and well visits, business fire safety and community self-help plans.
Neil became the chief officer of both Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire services in January 2018, before overseeing their combination to become one organisation in April 2021.
He also took on the role of chairman for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum’s (LRF) strategic coordination groups (SCG) for both the Covid-19 response and EU Exit preparations.
On a national level, Neil is Head of Prevention at the National Fire Chief’s Council (NFCC) and chairman of the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO).
Neil will be presented with his honour by a senior royal family member at either Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace.
The Queen’s Fire Service Medal was introduced in May 1954 and is given for meritorious service or bravery.
In recent years deputy chiefs Andy Bowers and Steve Apter have been bestowed with the QFSM, as well as firefighter Jasper Taylor and Neil’s predecessor Dave Curry.
Hampshire’s Chas McGill who at one time was the longest serving operational firefighter in the country, and remains as a volunteer with the Service, was awarded an MBE in 2016.