South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has honoured exceptional staff, contractors, volunteers, and cadets at its first ever Beacon Awards, held at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama as part of the Service’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
The ceremony brought together colleagues, partners, families and community representatives to recognise the remarkable individuals and teams who go above and beyond in serving the communities of South Wales.
Among those honoured on the night were Yvonne Edwards, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an outstanding 50 years of dedicated service to SWFRS. Oscar Logan was named Fire Cadet of the Year, having shown remarkable resilience in overcoming epilepsy, dyspraxia, and anxiety, while exemplifying the values of the Fire Cadets and inspiring both himself and his peers to achieve their very best. Saliman Adebayo received the Respect Award for his selfless commitment, professionalism, and the humanity he brings to his role every day. And the Unsung Hero Award was presented to Mark Potter, of Barry station, in recognition of his exceptional compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to SWFRS and the wider Barry community.
Chief Fire Officer Fin Monahan opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and paying tribute to the people who continue to shape the Service’s identity and impact. He said:
“It is a privilege to gather here to celebrate the individuals whose dedication, professionalism and values strengthen our Service every day. As we mark 30 years of SWFRS, we are reminded that our greatest achievements are made possible by the people who serve with compassion, courage and integrity. As we honour their achievements, we celebrate not only individual excellence, but the collective strength of a Service built on teamwork, public service and unwavering commitment to keeping the communities of South Wales safe.”
As part of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s 30th anniversary year, the inaugural Beacon Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary people who embody the values and spirit of the Service. This year’s finalists represent outstanding contributions across categories including compassion, courage, respect, integrity, excellence, operational excellence, working as one team, community engagement, leadership, innovation, diversity, inclusion, cohesion and equity (DICE), lifetime achievement, rising star, unsung hero and fire cadet of the year. Their stories reflect the dedication, professionalism and humanity that define SWFRS – from acts of bravery on the incident ground, to quiet kindness in our communities, to the innovative thinking that drives the Service forward.
The ceremony highlighted the breadth of talent across the Service, from firefighters demonstrating exceptional operational skill, to teams leading community safety initiatives, to colleagues whose behind the scenes contributions ensure the Service continues to evolve and innovate. Several awards also recognised achievements in culture, inclusion and collaboration, reflecting SWFRS’s commitment to growth, learning and continuous improvement.
The Chief Fire Officer emphasised the importance of recognising not only the finalists, but the wider SWFRS workforce:
“Our people are the heart of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Whether on the incident ground, in our control room, on stations, in our workshops, or in support roles, every single person plays a vital part in protecting the public. Tonight’s awards celebrate excellence, but they also honour the collective pride, resilience and dedication that define our Service.”
The success of this event was made possible by the support of Airbus, Hunter, Texport, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, event organisers and partners, and the families who stand behind the people of SWFRS every day.
