One of first senior firefighters on scene of Canary Wharf bomb awarded CBE
One of the first senior firefighters on the scene of the Canary Wharf IRA bomb attack in 1996 has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s honours list.
London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson has been honoured for his contribution to the fire and rescue service.
The bomb blast in February 1996 killed two people in a newsagents shop and injured 39 others.
The half tonne bomb had been placed 80 yards away from South Quay Plaza and a telephone warning was given in the attack which marked the end of a 17 month IRA ceasefire.
Mr Dobson co-ordinated a search of the area when he arrived on the scene.
The blast caused an estimated �85 million damage, and the Midland Bank building, South Quay Plaza 1 and 2 and the Docklands Light Railway station were severely damaged in theattack.
Speaking today Mr Dobson said: “This honour represents everything good about my 31 years service at what I consider to be the best fire brigade in the world. I’d like to dedicate it to my family, and the hard work and dedication of London firefighters and all Brigade staff.”
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London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority chairman, councillor Brian Coleman said: “On behalf of the Authority, I am pleased to offer my congratulations to the Commissioner. He is an exemplary Chief Fire Officer, who leads by example and maintains the excellent standards which Members and Londoners expect of the London Fire Brigade.”
Mr Dobson has 31 years firefighting experience and became London Fire Commissioner in 2007. As an Assistant Commissioner, he led on the threat of terrorism and during the 2005 London bombings which claimed the lives of 52 people he was the Brigade’s Senior Operational Commander.
He added: “This is a great way to kick off the new year, during which I want to resolve the dispute over changes we need to make to start and finish times for firefighters. I am also very proud to be hosting the UK’s largest firefighter games, ‘The UK Rescue Challenge – London 2011’ in September.”
He was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 2005. He lives in Sidcup, Kent, is married and has three children.
