HIGHLIGHTS - February 27, 2025

Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards

Celebrating the incredible individuals at the heart of our emergency services, these winners represent the courage, dedication, and compassion that make the Blue Light Awards so special. Their stories are the highlight of every event.

Northern Ireland 2025

The Northern Ireland Blue Light Awards, held at Culloden Estate and Spa, Bangor Rd, Holywood BT18 0EX on 27 February 2025, was a powerful evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration. Bringing together heroes from across the emergency services, the event honoured the individuals and teams who have shown remarkable courage, commitment, and compassion in their roles. From life-saving actions to years of dedicated service, the award winners truly represent the very best of the Blue Light community.

Blue Light Emergency Service of the Year

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Winner

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

This award honours a Blue Light service that has demonstrated a significant impact on performance. The winner will showcase achievements such as a reduction in deaths and injuries, improved emergency response times, operational excellence, and advancements in community well-being. Open to any Blue Light service, this award recognises outstanding contributions to public safety and community welfare.

Blue Light Voluntary Search & Rescue Service of the Year

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Winner

Foyle Search & Rescue

This award recognises a voluntary search and rescue service that has made a significant impact on emergency response and public safety. Recognising the dedication and bravery of those who risk their own safety to save others, this award celebrates excellence in life-saving operations, rapid response, teamwork, and innovation in search and rescue efforts. The winning service will have demonstrated outstanding commitment to protecting lives and enhancing community resilience.

Outstanding Contribution to a Blue Light Service

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Winner

Dr Neil Powell

This award recognises an esteemed figure in the emergency services who has made a lasting and positive impact on the sector for a minimum of 25 years. It celebrates a sustained and meaningful contribution to their service, honouring their dedication and commitment to advancing and improving the emergency services field over an extended period.

Team of the Year

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Winner

Peer Support Network

Awarded to a Blue Light team that has made a significant impact on both their organisation and the community they serve. The winning team will demonstrate achievements such as reducing deaths and injuries, improving efficiencies, achieving cost savings, and driving positive change to enhance emergency service effectiveness.

Resilience & Learning from Major Incidents

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Winner

JESIP Training Team

This award will acknowledge individuals, teams, or ‘Blue Light’ services that have significantly improved resilience arrangements over the past 12 months. Winners will have demonstrated effective responses and inter-agency cooperation in a Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) decision-making environment where profound command dilemmas exist., contributing to enhanced operational procedures and systemic changes

Most Influential Blue Light Woman

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Winner

Margaret Elliott

This award celebrates the outstanding contributions of women to the Blue Light services in Northern Ireland. It recognises women working within or for a Blue Light service who have made a notable impact on performance in the past 12 months, highlighting the vital role they play in shaping and enhancing emergency services.

Blue Light Youth Champion of the Year

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Winner

Daniel Sharpe

This award honours an individual or team excelling in youth development or making a positive impact within their community by working with and inspiring young people. It recognises those who empower the next generation, providing guidance and support to help them succeed in life.

Most Influential Blue Light Man

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Winner

Mark Bothwell Airport Chief Fire Officer

This award celebrates the outstanding contributions of men to the Blue Light services in Northern Ireland. It recognises men working within or for a Blue Light service who have made a significant impact on performance in the past 12 months, highlighting the crucial role they play in shaping and enhancing emergency services.

Most Influential LGBTQ+ Blue Light Individual

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Winner

Daniel Elphick

Awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to promoting and supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion within their service and community. The winner will have positively influenced organisational performance over the last 12 months, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment within the emergency services.

Bravery and Courage Award

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Winner

Retired Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell

This award recognises exceptional bravery and courage. It honours a Blue Light employee who has overcome adversity in their own life or supported others facing significant challenges. The award acknowledges extraordinary personal and professional courage within the emergency services.

Leader of the Year

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Winner

Chief Michael Daly

This award recognises outstanding leadership within the Blue Light sector. It honours individuals who have successfully led teams, driven organisational change, inspired others, managed relationships, built trust, and delivered exceptional results in their field.

Unsung Hero Award

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Winner

Kalon McDaid

This award honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to their Blue Light service over the past 12 months. It acknowledges those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, demonstrating ingenuity and determination to improve the lives of colleagues and members of the public.

Animal Trainer of the Year

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Winner

Raph O’connor

This award recognises excellence in the training of animals within the Emergency and Rescue Services, celebrating the dedication, skill, and commitment of animal trainers. It highlights their contributions to ensuring highly trained service animals can support emergency response and public safety.

Emerging Talent of the Year Award

Winner

Rosie Rowbotham

This award recognises an outstanding rising star within the Northern Ireland Blue Light Services. The recipient will have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and potential in their role, making a meaningful impact on their service and the community they serve.

Blue Light Partner or Supplier of the Year

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Winner

Lena by Inspire

This award recognises an organisation, business, or individual that has provided exceptional support or services to the Blue Light community. Whether through innovation, reliability, or exemplary partnership, this award celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to enabling emergency services to operate effectively.

Overcoming Adversity Award

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Winner

Sean McCluskey

This award honours an exceptional individual within the blue light community who has demonstrated incredible strength, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. Whether overcoming personal challenges, professional obstacles, or life-changing events, this award recognises those who continue to serve with dedication, inspire others, and make a meaningful impact despite the difficulties they have faced.