Deborah Haynes from Devizes has been awarded an MBE while Michael Grimshaw from Chippenham has received a British Empire Medal as part of the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List.
Both Wiltshire locals work for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, and their commitment to the service has been credited for helping to save lives across the counties.
Deborah Haynes has worked as head of the Dorset Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) since 2020, and her MBE is for her services to the resilience community.
She leads a team that supports all emergency services and wider public sector organisations in planning for and responding to major emergencies.
Deborah Haynes from Devizes has been awarded an MBE by the King (Image: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service) Before joining the CCU, Deborah spent 19 years working in the NHS and six years in local government.
She has been a part of the emergency response to significant national and regional incidents such as the fuel crisis and foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2000, major flooding events in 2007 and 2014, the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic; and the Salisbury Novichok poisonings in 2018.
Deborah currently lives in Devizes, and holds both a master’s degree in public health and a postgraduate diploma in health emergency planning.
“I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to receive this MBE,” she said.
“It means so much to have my work in resilience and keeping communities safe recognised – something that it has always been a privilege to do.
“This award reflects the efforts of so many wonderful colleagues, friends and particularly my family, who have supported and inspired me along the way.”
Mike Grimshaw from Chippenham is the second member of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service to be recognised in the King’s honour list.
Watch manager Mike is an on-call section commander at Chippenham fire station, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for public service.
This recognises his local role as an on-call firefighter, and his national role as a Civilian Services Contingent Drill Instructor.
Mike Grimshaw’s medal recognises his public service (Image: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service) Mike joined the fire and rescue service as an on-call firefighter in Malmesbury in 2008, providing cover in Malmesbury and in Swindon, and he later transferred to Chippenham in 2014.
In 2018, Mike was appointed as a Civilian Services Contingent Drill Instructor and has supported national events including the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II (Operation London Bridge) and the coronation of HM King Charles III (Operation Golden Orb).
He also plays an essential part in the National Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London, which involves a year-long commitment of planning, preparation, rehearsals, and performance.
“It is a real honour to be recognised in this way, and I’m grateful to everyone who supports me in both my role as a firefighter and within the Civilian Services Contingent,” said Mike.
“This includes my family and my employer, who give me the flexibility to fulfil these additional commitments.
“I’ve had the privilege to undertake a role in the biggest ceremonial events in decades, and I’ve been proud to represent DWFRS and the Fire Service as a whole on the national stage.”
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Sharing his pride, Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole added: “I am delighted that Deborah and Mike have been recognised for their hard work, professionalism and dedication to their jobs.
“They have both had such a positive impact on our communities, and they are a great credit to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
“On behalf of their friends and colleagues, I give them my warmest congratulations.”