Seventy volunteers and staff of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Far North Coast District have been recognised with medals for their efforts during the 2019-20 fire season and the NSW and Queensland flood events.
Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services and Member for Tweed Geoff Provest joined RFS Assistant Commissioner Mathew Smith at a ceremony on Sunday to present the medals to personnel who served during the fire and flood events.
“The National Emergency Medal is specially awarded to those who provide sustained or significant service during nationally-significant emergencies in Australia, including our volunteers and staff who gave so much during the 2019-20 Black Summer bush fires,” Mr Provest said.
“Members of the RFS Far North Coast District played an integral part in the firefighting response and I’m very proud to see 64 individuals receive a National Emergency Medal.
“Along with protecting our own communities, many firefighters were also dispatched from local Brigades to assist with the firefighting efforts right across NSW.”
Assistant Commissioner Smith praised the medal recipients for their hard work and dedication.
“Today we recognise Brigade members from across the region and thank them for their incredible contribution over many years in both fire and flood events,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“Every single one of these members should be proud of themselves and their dedication to protecting communities across the State.”
The Medals which were awarded to 70 recipients include:
- 64 National Emergency Medals (for the 2019-20 bush fires);
- 6 Long Service Medals;
- 4 National Medals;
- 2 Queensland Flood Medals (for the 2018-19 floods); and
- 1 Premier’s Citation (for the 2019-20 bush fires).