(left to right): Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman, Sebastopol Captain Steve Burgess and Board Member Peter Shaw
Almost five hundred local volunteer firefighters and CFA staff members have been honoured with National Emergency Medals for their efforts in the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire crisis.
The National Emergency Medal 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 held at Ballarat, Horsham and Stawell last week, members from CFA’s West Region became the latest of more than 5,500 CFA members to receive the honour for the 2019-2020 fires.
CFA Board Members Peter Shaw and Dawn Hartog 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 2019-2020 bushfire crisis,” they said.
“It is a great honour to receive this medal and we hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service.”
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman spoke of his pride for the CFA members’ efforts.
“The 2019/2020 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.”
Sebastopol Fire Brigade Captain Steve Burgess was Master of Ceremonies for the ceremony, as well as being a medal recipient himself, and said it was an honour to be formally recognised.
“It’s an honour to receive this award, with humility and pride,” Steve said.
“This medal reflects not only my service, but also acknowledges the sacrifices made by my family while I’m away from home, supporting the community.”
Steve also made mention of the support shown by his employer for his volunteering with CFA.
“CFA volunteers aren’t paid for their firefighting efforts, and we are only able to respond to major incidents for extended periods of time with the support of our employers,” he said.
“Employers deserve recognition for allowing their staff time away from work to support the Victorian community during times of need.”
Chief Officer Jason Heffernan-
(left to right): Chief Officer Jason Heffernan with members of Warracknabeal Fire Brigade, Board Member Dawn Hartog and Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman
-
(left to right): Deputy Chief Officer Brett Boatman, Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, Stoneleigh volunteer Genevieve Chapman and Board Member Dawn Hartog
-
Sebastopol Captain Steve Burgess
-