Top honours on Australia Day for QFES’ high achievers

Leading figures from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) have been honoured with prestigious medals for distinguished service to the organisation and the community.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Craig Crawford today (Friday) congratulated four firefighters for being named as recipients of Australian Fire Service Medals (AFSM), and three State Emergency Service (SES) members for receivingEmergency Services Medals (ESM).

The accolades were announced as part of 2018 Australia Day ceremonies to celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations to their communities and further afield.

“The AFSM and ESM are some of the highest honours that can be presented to QFES personnel and reflect a recipient’s dedication, professionalism and willingness to go beyond what is expected of them in their role,” Mr Crawford said.

“These people are leaders in their field and highly respected for the work they do to the benefit of QFES and the broader community.

“Quite often, these individuals perform their roles under trying and stressful conditions, and these medals are testament to their ability to deliver beyond what is expected of them but to go further to achieve exceptional results.

“I want to congratulate all medal recipients and thank them for their tireless commitment to serving and protecting Queenslanders.”

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the AFSM highlighted distinguished service in the fields of frontline response, leadership, long service to a high standard, and innovation to overcome challenges.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighter Arthur Puccini from the Far North Queensland region of Lower Cowley was among those recognised with an AFSM.

“Arthur is the founding member of Lower Cowley Rural Fire Brigade and has spent 50 continuous years serving his childhood community,” Ms Carroll said. “People like Arthur are the lifeblood of their local communities: selfless, committed and passionate.”

Fellow rural firefighter Alan Wells from the Samford Rural Fire Brigade received an AFSM for his service to the area and surrounding districts for more than two decades.

“Alan has developed innovative measures to improve rural firefighting standards, including vehicle and equipment design improvements, bushfire mitigation techniques and frontline response capabilities,” Ms Carroll said.

Townsville rural firefighter Kevin Anderson received an AFSM for 30-plus years of exemplary service with his brigade and beyond.

“Kevin is a crucial part of the Crystal Creek Rural Fire Brigade and has used his knowledge and experience to help other brigades improve their operating standards and maintain a first-rate response to their local communities,” Ms Carroll said.

Ms Carroll also congratulated Sunshine Coast Fire and Rescue firefighter Mark Campbell for his influential and lengthy service as a training and development specialist.

“Mark has been at the forefront of training new recruits and seasoned firefighters to an exceptional level, using his more than 30 years of firefighting experience to further their knowledge and skills to the betterment of the individual and QFES,” Ms Carroll said.

Mr Campbell was named as a recipient on a day that also recognised some of the leading SES members with an ESM for distinguished service.

Whitsunday SES Local Controller Mark Connors was one of three recipients for his high-level of leadership and commitment to the organisation.

Sunshine Coast SES stalwart Don Patterson received recognition for the time and effort he has devoted to training and educating Queensland SES volunteers and other emergency management stakeholders.

Acting Regional Manager for SES Central Queensland Andrew Wyatt was the final recipient of the ESM for 2018 for the service he has provided to the SES and other volunteer agencies.

“Today’s recipients all come from various backgrounds and perform different tasks, but they share a common goal of helping QFES succeed and ensuring the safety of the community,” Mr Crawford said.  

ENDS

MEDIA 0412 393 909