King’s Jewel Given For Terry’s Golden Service

Terry Jewell working at the Christchurch (New Zealand) earthquake, in 2011 A fire fighter of 30 years’ service and a member of IOSH for nearly half that time was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours list.

Harwich-based Terry Jewell TechIOSH, who retired last year from Essex Fire and Rescue Service, has returned to the service part-time to continue his exceptional work as Special Operations Support Officer in International Search and Rescue, for which he has received his honour.

The news tops an extra-proud few months for Terry and his wife Tanya following their son Ty’s autumn visit to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE from Prince William, for his work as a paramedic in the British Army.

As the longest serving member of the United Nations registered UK International Search and Research (UKISAR) team – and one of its founding members 30 years ago – Terry has been recognised for his outstanding service in earthquake zones across the world, from Indonesia to Nepal, Christchurch, New Zealand to Haiti and Japan, for example.

He is also a UN assessor involved in classifications of international search and rescue teams, work which most recently took him to Estonia and Switzerland.

Each emergency mission will see Terry helping to manage a 70-odd strong UK team, supported by the use of specialist equipment and dogs, in working with the host command and control body to search for and rescue survivors. It’s exhausting work, rotating 12-hour shifts 24/7 for as long as there’s a chance of finding people alive, usually around 10 days.

But success on these life-or-death missions isn’t always about pulling people out alive. Tragically, it can also be a case of recovering bodies so relatives and loved ones can find some kind of closure. The rescue crew itself will have a medical team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and a vet, as well as a structural engineer, to help it safely through the tasks. Trauma Risk Management (TRM) systems will also be deployed both at the scene and on returning home to provide psychological welfare and support.

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However, push Terry to paint a disaster hero image of himself and you’ll be disappointed: “You get into this work, like I did when I joined the fire service, like I did when I first got involved in international rescue work, because you want to do something, you want to help people. This is the same for all those in the UKISAR team. The ongoing management and training, as well as the missions, is one big team effort.

“The overseas missions are more intense, more exhausting but you’re just doing what you know at the end of the day, doing what you can to help. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had and continue to have through my career, especially from my wife, Tanya and my family.”

He laughs at the idea of him being in some kind of Hollywood film scene. He won’t say it but to Terry it runs much deeper than that – being a rescuer is just part of his DNA.

The OSH community was also delighted to see the King recognise Professor Andrew Curran in his New Year Honours list. Professor Curran, Director of Science and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), was made a CBE “for his significant contribution to public service”.

In a career spanning three decades, Professor Curran has led crucial research into protecting people’s health and safety at work. He also led the world’s largest study to better understand the transmission of Covid-19, which helped support the UK’s response to the pandemic.

A proud professor said: “I see it (the award) as recognition of the contribution HSE scientists, engineers and analysts make to providing a strong evidence base for our policy and regulatory activity.

“I believe I have one of the best jobs in science in the country. Our science really makes a difference. I can think of no greater motivator in what I do,” he added.

IOSH President Lawrence Webb was keen to add his congratulations to both IOSH member Terry Jewell and Professor Curran: “What a great way to go into the new year, seeing these dedicated and driven professionals being properly recognised for their exceptional service, their outstanding dedication, impressive talents and all-round contribution to our profession”.