Firies awarded for Black Summer service

CFA firefighters from across the region were celebrated for their efforts during the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires as part of an awards ceremony at Civic Hall on Sunday.

The event saw 258 CFA members from the West Region’s District 15 awarded with National Emergency Medals.

Gavin Hope, the district’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer said the medals were an acknowledgement of the effort of the region’s firefighters during that time.

“This is a recognition for our volunteer firefighters and our career personnel,” he said.

“It’s reflecting back to the 2019 and 2020 campaign fires for New South Wales and Victoria into Mallacoota and East Gippsland through to Bairnsdale.

“The criteria for this medal is roughly four days’ activity whether on the frontlines or being in incident management control teams.”

Recipients with a medal acknowledging their service during the Black Saturday were presented with a clasp to add to the existing accolade, while those who didn’t serve during that crisis were given new medals.

District 15 covers about 62 brigades from Bacchus Marsh up to Daylesford across towards Smythesdale and down to Elaine.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Hope was one of the CFA members to receive the 2019-2020 medal, and said it was nice to get the nod alongside his colleagues.

“Probably like everyone else, you don’t sign up to get medals or recognition, but at the same time it’s nice to get recognised,” he said.

“My role was sending people away a lot, and I did go down to the Traralgon centre for a four-day period to assist in amalgamating the different agencies like council and ambulances.”