Japan Firefighters Praised

The sixty British firefighters who went to Japan to look for survivors after the earthquake and tsunami have been praised by the government.

Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer, Roy Wilshire, was among the group who flew out to Japan following the disaster on Friday 11 March 2011.

Despite their best efforts, the UK search and rescue team were unable to find any survivors.  Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles made a statement about the firefighters' work in the House of Commons on Monday 4 April.

In his speech, he said: "I am sure the whole House would like to place on record its gratitude for the professionalism and commitment of the 60 firefighters who are deployed as part of the UK's international search and rescue team assisting the victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

"With the number of dead and missing growing daily, our thoughts are with the brave Japanese people."