A FORMER Cheshire firefighter has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his dedication in informing and revising how rescues are carried out following road accidents and motorsports incidents.
Ian Dunbar, who was in the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for 20 years, received the award for Services to Technical Rescue, Vehicle Extrication and Pre-Hospital Care.
The 47-year-old, who now lives in Geneva, Switzerland, said he was ‘astounded and humbled’ to be recognised.
“I joined Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1992 and was stationed at Birchwood, Widnes, Wilmslow and Northwich during my career,” Ian said.
“I was also a training instructor at the police headquarters in Winsford for three years.
“I had two spells at Northwich between 1998 and 2002, and 2008 and 2011.
“My wife, Victoria, is from Barnton and her family still live there.”
Ian now works for the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), which is the governing body of World Motor Sport.
He explained: “I am a rescue specialist responsible for all rescue intervention in FIA World Championships including Formula 1.
“My OBE has been awarded for ‘Services to Technical Rescue, Vehicle Extrication and Pre-Hospital Care’ because I have focussed on dealing with road accidents and motorsports incidents for nearly 20 years.
“I have written several best-selling books and consulted in more than 100 countries around the world, working with fire and rescue services, paramedics and doctors.
“I have also worked with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in the UK to assist with revising how we deal with road accidents within the UK Fire and Rescue Service.”
Ian said the reaction from his family and friends to his OBE, as well as the emergency response industry, has been ‘amazing’ and has left him feeling incredibly humbled.
Speaking about when he first found out about the accolade, he added: “I was completely shocked and astounded but when it sank in, I felt immensely proud for my wife Victoria, and two young daughters, Jessica and Georgia - it’s a lovely legacy for them.
“I immediately thought it was a joke. I never expected to be the recipient of an award like this, it has never been on my radar.”
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