The chairman and the chief fire officer of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority have combined to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her death last Thursday.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at fire stations and offices across Dorset and Wiltshire. During the national period of mourning, the flag flying protocol will be followed.

The chairman Cllr Rebecca Knox, and chief fire officer Ben Ansell, said: “On behalf of the Authority and the Service, we wish to send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family. The loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a devastating blow to the whole country and Commonwealth, but also to her family for whom she was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

“For so many of us, we have only known Her Majesty as our monarch. We are grateful for her life of devoted service, and her lifelong support of the emergency services. She will be missed more than we can say.

“Her loss will affect everyone, not just here in the UK but around the world. So many of our personnel are proud to wear her medals, including Queen’s Fire Service Medals, those for Long Service and Good Conduct, or for one or more of her Jubilees.

“As well as flying our flags at half-mast, we have opened a Book of Condolence at Service Headquarters, and we are reviewing our non-emergency activities over the coming days to ensure that we observe the national period of mourning in the most respectful way.”