QFES personnel recognised in 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours

Six Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) personnel have been recognised for their dedication to community safety as part of the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the awards were testament to the outstanding commitment and service the recipients had shown to Queenslanders, their colleagues and peers.

“The efforts of QFES personnel never ceases to amaze me, and I am thrilled that the contributions of these six dedicated individuals have been formally recognised,” Mr Crawford said.

“I look forward to seeing their work continue to benefit our communities in future years.”

Rural Fire Service (RFS) South Eastern Region Inspector Kaye Healing received the Australian Fire Service Medial (AFSM) for more than 20 years’ of outstanding leadership, care and devotion to volunteers.

Ms Healing played an integral role in supporting brigades to build resilience in their communities and has been instrumental in broadening the Fire Warden network throughout south-east Queensland.

North Coast Region Duty Manager Operations Inspector David Woods was awarded the AFSM for his expertise and leadership in enhancing QFES’ technical rescue capabilities, and his significant contributions to the Australasian Road Crash Rescue Challenge.

Mr Woods’ extensive knowledge, advocacy for continual improvement and passion for supporting fellow technical rescue operators has earned him a reputation as a highly skilled, dedicated and selfless individual.

Gold Coast volunteer firefighter Alan Richards received the AFSM for outstanding commitment to the development of training and operational capabilities within the RFS.

Throughout his more than 20 years of service to his brigade and the Gold Coast Rural Fire Brigade Group, Mr Richards has helped improve training outcomes and increase brigade capability to manage large scale fire incidents in the region.

Joining the list of AFSM recipients is Tinaroo Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) founding member and First Officer Les Green.

Mr Green - also the Community Disaster Coordinator for his local area - was awarded for commitment to the safety and resilience of the Tinaroo and Kairi communities in Far North Queensland through exercises and initiatives to bolster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Thangool Auxiliary Fire Station Captain and Thangool RFB First Officer Donald Baldwin received an AFSM for more than 50 years’ of outstanding service and dedication to the Thangool and greater Callide Valley communities.

Mr Baldwin is held in high regard by his fellow firefighters and community members for his passion and contribution to QFES, particularly through the delivery of fire education to youth and seniors, the implementation of a local Emergency Services Cadet program, and his work assisting the community to recover from flooding.

An Emergency Services Medal (ESM) was awarded to Logan State Emergency Services (SES) Unit Deputy Local Controller Terrence Chapman for distinguished leadership and prolonged service to the SES.

Since joining the SES in 1974, Mr Chapman’s knowledge and expertise has proved invaluable during critical incidents and disaster events.

He has made significant contributions to training delivery, leading the establishment of the Logan Emergency Services Cadet program.

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said it was a privilege to see the recipients’ professionalism, dedication and commitment recognised and celebrated.

“I am proud to have these very deserving personnel representing QFES in the community,” Ms Carroll said. “Their outstanding work and achievements over the years have helped our agency to establish a national and international reputation as a leader in the fields of fire and emergency management.”

ENDS

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