Joron Goddard receives Fire Officer of the Year Award 2022

Saturday, December 10, will never be forgotten by Joron Goddard.

It was the day he received his Fire Officer of the Year Award, witnessed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Information Deborah Payne and her Deputy Curtis Gilkes, Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard and his Deputy Henderson Patrick and colleagues.

The 25-year-old St. George resident was one of the youngest to receive the award, having served just four years as a Fire Officer. He was judged on his ability to work with others, execution of duties and commitment to the Barbados Fire Service (BFS).

As he strode to the podium, the fire officer who has worked across stations received loud applause, particularly from his mother, Tracy Goddard, who was present along with his fire service family.

After he received the trophy and lanyard, the reserved Goddard said: “It was unexpected and a warm feeling.”

Divisional Officer Marlon Small, who was one of Goddard’s instructors when he was recruited, heaped praises on the young man. “Goddard always showed a willingness to participate in all activities (on or off-duty). He is reliable and, in some instances, fearless.”

In a similar vein, Divisional Officer Wayne Vaughn described Goddard as “a fantastic young man who is always willing to do whatever is asked of him; he has a quiet demeanour, he never said no to an assignment. This enthusiastic young man is always on time. I believe the sky is the limit once he remains on this trajectory.”  

Goddard, a former student of the Lodge School, said he joined the BFS because he always felt the need to serve. In fact, he’s known for rescuing a young male from a deep well in the Pine, St Michael, and entering a wall structure in Warrens in a bid to rescue a man and two toddlers, whom he subsequently learnt had died.

An award for bravery adorns his shirt as testimony to his hard work.

“I always felt a need to connect to the community. It is rewarding when I serve the community and see people smiling after we complete any given task. The Barbados Fire Service is more than rescues. We promote prevention and do code enforcement,” he said. 

The officer who intends to be an ambassador of the Fire Service added: “I love my job, which includes getting to work, roll call, duties assigned by NCO, checking equipment, familiarization tours, in-house training and/or responses.” (CAP)