Highland firefighter who suffered cardiac arrest during shinty match given long service award

A firefighter who suffered a cardiac arrest while refereeing a shinty match in the Highlands has been celebrated for his service - alongside one of the men who saved his life.

Watch Commander Steven MacLachlan received a Long Service Good Conduct award at a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ceremony in Inverness, marking 20 years of protecting communities across the Highlands.

This comes just six months after Steven collapsed while refereeing a McTavish Cup tie between Caberfeidh and Kinlochshiel in Strathpeffer in March and SFRS colleagues Keith Macrae and Conor Cormack went to his aid. The firefighters and Kinlochshiel teammates administered CPR and used a defibrillator until paramedics arrived, ultimately saving Steven’s life.

Keith, an on call firefighter at Kyle Community Fire Station, and Conor, a wholetime firefighter at Inverness Community Fire Station, received Chief Officer’s Commendations for their actions. Conor was unable to make the event however Steven and Keith were reunited to accepting their individual awards.

Steven said: “I was delighted to receive the long service award.

“To be standing here receiving this award beside Keith. who ultimately saved my life, is quite surreal.

“The quick thinking of both Keith and Conor ensured that I was able to be here today. The outcome could have been very different. It is fantastic they are both getting the recognition they deserve.”

Steven began his career in 2004 as a firefighter based at Inverness Community Fire Station.

The ceremony brought together a total of 37 SFRS staff from across the Highlands with over 800 years of dedicated service.

Service’s Local Senior Officer for Highland, Area Commander Michael Humphreys, said: “This event acknowledges the service of all our firefighters across Highland who have given many years to protecting their communities.

“It is particularly poignant that we were able to acknowledge the outstanding service of Steven and the life-saving actions of Keith and Conor.

“I would like to say a huge congratulations and thank you to all who received awards for their exemplary service.”