North-west firefighters awarded National Emergency Medals

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Recipient group photo

More than 90 local volunteer firefighters and six CFA staff members have been honoured with National Emergency Medals for their efforts in the 2019-20 Australian bushfire crisis.

The National Emergency Medal (NEM) is part of Australia’s Honours and Awards system and recognises significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency.

At ceremonies on 11 and 13 October, firefighters from across Buloke, Mildura, Swan Hill and Yarriambiack became the latest of more than 5,500 CFA members to receive the honour for the 2019-20 fires.

CFA Board Members Beth Davidson and Rosemary Martin presented the medals and said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.

“The National Emergency Medal is a formal recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-20 bushfire crisis,” Beth said.

“It is a great honour to receive this medal, and I hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service," Rosemary said.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan spoke of his pride for the CFA members’ efforts.

“The 2019-20 fires devastated East Gippsland and the north-east of Victoria,” he said.

“But from that crisis arose the most remarkable human spirit of generosity and ‘lending a hand’.

“Our medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

“Whether they joined a firefighting strike team, worked in an incident control centre or provided other assistance to affected communities – every contribution was valuable and made a real difference.

Swan Hill Fire Brigade Captain and NEM recipient Harold Jochs, who was deployed to Port Macquarie and Batemans Bay said events such as these are special and recognise the time that everyday Victorians gave up to lend a hand.

“Giving up work or taking leave to go out to help is what we do as volunteer firefighters, whether that was going to New South Wales or Gippsland, it didn’t matter. To receive thanks is really appreciated,” Harold said.

“There were fellow Australians who needed us, and we have people who were prepared to go.

“The experience itself was very different from our fires here. When you were driving down the street or going somewhere, we had people just walking up to us and thanking us for our service.

“When they realise where you're from and that you’ve come all this way they were so grateful that we gave the time. So it’s bittersweet to now come together again and reflect.”