Dave Kitchin, Head of Service for Cheshire and Mersey hosted the ceremony and presented Dave with is award. He said, “Dave began his esteemed career as a cadet with Liverpool City Ambulance in 1972 and over an unbelievable 50 years has been witness to an incredible amount of change. From his days of conveying patients to the ‘original’ Royal Liverpool Infirmary on Brownlow Street, to seeing the opening of the then ‘new’ Royal Liverpool University Hospital in 1978 – replacing both Northern and Royal Southern Hospitals.  Incredible that we are now about to witness the opening of the third Royal Liverpool in Dave’s career!

“From Flat Nosed Morris and Bull Nosed Bedford’s – vehicles, not colleagues – to the introduction of defibrillators, paramedic practice, advanced drug therapies and specialist trauma units, he’s seen them all. From treating casualties during the Toxteth Riots of 1981 and waking up to his find picture on the front page of the national press, to the tragedy of the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington where he bravely responded to help others, to staring in the televised 90’s documentary ‘Blues and Twos’, he’s never shirked his responsibilities.  

“He has always given his all for patients, whether responding as a rookie ambulanceman, pioneering paramedic, leading ambulanceman, operations manager or event commander at Liverpool and Everton.

“A devoted family man, who over many years has loyally represented the trust at memorial services and remembrance events around the UK and Europe. To sum Dave’s service up in just a few words would be impossible, but the one’s that spring to mind are integrity, honesty and total commitment to whatever role he is undertaking.”

Congratulations Dave, what an achievement and thank you for your service.