News and Events

Three firefighters from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) were honoured guests at His Majesty the King’s Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 7th May 2025, in recognition of their humanitarian work following the devastating earthquake in Morocco in 2023.

Watch Manager Wayne Ward, Crew Manager Ian McGee, and Firefighter Richard Cutler were among those invited to the prestigious event, representing the UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team. They were recognised for their deployment to Morocco in September 2023, where they were joined by LFRS colleague Crew Manager Lindsey Sielski and Search Dog, Davey B, to assist in search and rescue efforts after a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region.

The disaster prompted the deployment of 60 UKISAR personnel from across the UK, including the LFRS team. Their mission was to locate and rescue survivors trapped under collapsed buildings, working alongside international partners in challenging conditions. UKISAR operates as part of the UK Government’s response to major global emergencies and is on-call 24/7, 365 days a year.

“It was an honour to be recognised at the King’s garden party alongside my UKISAR colleagues for our work in Morocco, and a very proud moment for myself and the team,” said Watch Manager, Wayne Ward.

“The work we undertook was incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally, but knowing we were helping people in their greatest time of need made every moment worthwhile. It was a privilege to contribute to such an important humanitarian effort and represent both Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the UK on the international stage.”

The King’s Royal Garden Party is held annually to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to public life, charity, and community service.