BELMOPAN, BELIZE – In a formal ceremony recognizing exceptional career commitment, twenty-one members of Belize’s National Fire Service were decorated with Long Service Awards on Friday, February 16, 2026. The event, orchestrated by the Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, celebrated personnel who have devoted between ten and a quarter-century to public safety.
The honors were distributed across various ranks and specializations, underscoring the diverse roles essential to the fire service’s operations. Seven individuals were commended for a decade of service. The cohort celebrating 15 years included three officers, among them two radio-telephone operators and a finance officer. Four leading firefighters were acknowledged for their 20-year tenure. The most prestigious honors were bestowed upon seven senior officers who have served for 25 years; this distinguished group comprised station officers, a substation officer, a radio-telephone operator, and an assistant fire chief.
Presiding over the ceremony, Minister Henry Charles Usher delivered a poignant address, lauding the awardees for their unwavering discipline and profound personal sacrifice. He emphasized the inherent perils of the profession, noting that firefighters and support staff consistently jeopardize their own safety to safeguard citizens and property, a testament to their profound dedication to national service.