Federation Support Captain Gary Reeve (center) with his daughter Jessica Cottom and wife Kathy Reeve.
Members of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Southern Border Team have been awarded the National Emergency Medal for their efforts during the 2019-20 fire season.
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In Corowa, 33 RFS members were among 312 from the Southern Border team recognised at a special ceremony at the Corowa Civic Centre last Thursday.
In his welcoming address NSW RFS Southern Border operational officer Reynir Potter said during the 2019-20 bushfire emergency period the Southern Border Team Volunteers and staff provided significant frontline and operational support and resources locally, during the Green Valley Fires near Jingellic and several other significant fires across NSW. In addition, many members also undertook various interstate deployments.
NSW RFS Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White, who presented the medals, highlighted that there was a combined total of 574 years of service to the local community in the room.
“The National Emergency Medal is awarded to people rendered sustained or significant contribution during nationally significant emergencies,” she said.
“Some examples of when this medal has previously been awarded include the Queensland floods in 2010 and 2011, cyclones, north Queensland floods in 2019. This recognition is for your contribution to the 19/20 season.”
Members of the Federation Support NSW RFS Brigade Bill Wade, Nathan Cranston, Jessica Cottom, Luke Doering, Gary Reeve, Lincoln Ash, Kathy Reeve and Rick Aitken with their medals.
NSW RFS Inspector Sandra Huer congratulated the medal recipients for their courage, endurance and sacrifice during one of Australia’s toughest fire seasons.
“A wise group officer once said to me when you get to a fire you should take stock, take a breath and see what’s going on around you. Look at the fire, look at the environment and ask yourself, if you did nothing what might happen to that fire?” she said.
Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White (Area Commander), Firefighter Allison Hawking (Howlong), Cr Sally Hughes Federation Council and Matthew Hannan, Mayor Berrigan Council.
“You did take action. You gave up time away from your families and your workplaces, and you put in beyond what is what is normally asked of firefighters. You made a significant difference to the communities of NSW.
“Today is a day to take reflection on your award. During those fires there was significant loss, but we also saved an awful lot of property. This medal is a reminder of that good work.”
Federation Councillor Sally Hughes and Berrigan Shire Mayor Matthew Hannan also passed on their congratulations to the recipients and thanked them for keeping their communities safe.
Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White (Area Commander), Group Captain Tim Dowling (Mulwala), Cr Sally Hughes Federation Council and Matthew Hannan, Mayor Berrigan Council.
Former RFS Superintendent Patrick Westwood was also recognised for eight years of service to the Southern Border Team.
The National Emergency Medal (NEM) was established in 2011 to provide recognition within the Australian Honours System, for the committed and courageous efforts of frontline responders, volunteers and community supporters during nationally significant emergencies in Australia.
The most recent emergency, the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20 were declared on December 2, 2020. Bushfires that occurred in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia or the Australian Capital Territory between September 2019 and February 2020 were declared to be a nationally significant emergency.
Firefighter Nathan Cranston receives his medal from Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White (Area Commander).
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