The director of community protection and chief fire officer for Hertfordshire was presented with the Queen’s Fire Service Medal (QFSM) at Buckingham Palace last week.

Roy Wilsher received his medal from the Prince of Wales to recognise his contribution to the work of the fire service at both a local and national level.

Mr Wilsher, who has been in the fire service since 1981 and already has an OBE for his commitment to the fire service, said he was "extremely proud" to receive the QFSM.

He said: "It feels like a real recognition of my professional achievements and reflects well on Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. I cannot do things alone and I am proud to lead such an excellent fire service as the one we have in Hertfordshire"."

While serving as Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service the father of two has played a role on a national and international level. He was the strategic lead for the UK rescue response for the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and acted as operational commander for the Paddington rail crash.

He has also attended a number of major incidents, including the Putney gas explosion, the mortar bomb attack on Downing Street and the fire bomb attacks on Oxford Street.