THE deadline to nominate West Yorkshire firefighters for awards is fast running out.

People have only until Sunday to send back their nomination forms or fill one in online.

The first-ever West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service awards will celebrate the bravery, dedication and excellence of firefighters, emergency control room operators, fire and rescue staff and members of the public.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, May 23, at The Queens Hotel in Leeds.

The event will also raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Fire Services’ National Benevolent Fund.

There are 11 awards and the public can nominate in five of the categories.

These are:

Hero of the Year: Awarded to a member of the public for an act of heroism or courage in the face of adversity.

It could include rescuing people from danger or selfless acts that have helped to prevent serious damage.

Young Hero of the Year: For under-16s who have supported the fire service, either through campaigning, surviving horrific circumstances, carrying out a rescue or even just making a life-saving 999 call.

Whole-time Station of the Year: For work carried out above and beyond the call of duty and teamwork.

Retained Station of the Year.

Outstanding Contribution: Open to firefighters and control room staff for acts of heroism and courage.

This could be for rescuing people from danger or for a selfless act that helped to prevent serious damage.

It is also open to control room staff who have given life-saving fire survival guidance.

The other classes are the Chief Fire Officer’s Award for an individual or team decided by the Chief Fire Officer, Employee of the Year, Fire Safety Award, Charitable Achievement of the Year, Management/Leadership Award and Young Firefighter of the Year.

The public can nominate by going to www.westyorksfire.gov.uk