Fire Chief’s 45 Years of Bravery Earns Queen’s Fire Service Medal
Jerry Leonard: A Family Legacy of Firefighting
Jerry Leonard, a fire commander with 45 years under his belt, has bagged the prestigious Queen’s Fire Service Medal. The 62-year-old from Crondall, Hampshire, began his firefighting journey at just 17—following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Together, the Leonard trio clocked up over 100 years of service.
And the family ties run even deeper. Jerry’s wife, Ingrid, is also a group manager in Control at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, with 27 years on the job.
From On-Call Firefighter to Global Rescue Hero
Jerry kicked off his career in 1974, the same year the firefighter minimum age dropped from 18 to 17. Since then, he’s never looked back. “I am incredibly delighted to have been chosen to receive a Queen’s Fire Service Medal,” he said. “I am humbled to receive such an honour for a job I love and have enjoyed every minute of the past 45 years.”
Jerry started as an operational firefighter and climbed the ranks, becoming a founder member of UK Search and Rescue (now UK International Search and Rescue). He’s been deployed worldwide, tackling disasters in Armenia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nepal.
Highly Skilled and Nationally Respected
- National Urban Search and Rescue tactical advisor
- National Hazardous Material Advisor
- National Inter-agency Liaison Officer
- Hampshire’s lead for Extrication and Trauma
His career also includes training roles and equipment management across various stations, including Lymington, Redbridge, Andover, and Eastleigh HQ.
Community Praise for a Lifetime of Service
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman Chris Carter praised Jerry’s dedication: “This award recognises a life spent in the service of others. It is hard to imagine how many lives he has saved over 45 years.”
Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin added: “Hampshire firefighters hold a special place in the community because of people like Jerry. This award rightly honours the difference he’s made in Hampshire and beyond.”
